Book and video reviews from the Fall 2011 issue of THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER.
Is There Anything Good About Men? How Cultures Flourish by Exploiting Men, by Roy R. Baumeister, Oxford University Press, New York, 2010, 306 pages, $24.95 hardcover.
Roy Baumeister, Eppes Eminent Professor of Psychology at Florida State University, is a highly regarded social scientist, but with this volume he does not address a professional audience. Adopting a literary antagonist, the Imaginary Feminist, Baumeister attempts to provoke readers by building large edifices of conjecture on tiny pinpoints of suggestion. If, as he asserts, gender issues have been dominated since the 1970s by feminist insights, this book is an attempt to argue against “patriarchy as oppression” and to view the genders as complementary rather than oppositional.
Baumeister attempts to present his arguments in a persuasive format, and the gist of his thinking can be briefly summarized. He claims that the normal distribution of male characteristics is flatter than the normal distribution of female characteristics, which he uses to explain why there are more men heading up Fortune 500 companies and more men in prison. The larger extremities of maleness are compounded by the different motivations between the genders. He insists that biology dictates that females excel at one-on-one relationships (i.e., motherhood) and explains male aggression and competitiveness in terms of status hierarchies and access to sexual partners. The social units most natural to women are smaller and cooperative; the social units men develop are larger and competitive. Membership in female-style relationships is based on intimacy; membership in male-style relationships is based on competence. As Baumeister might say, babies do not have to earn respect, but men do.
Baumeister frequently insists that women are not less competent than men, but the motivational distinctions between the genders have resulted in most cultural progress being ascribed to men. Cultural progress depends on larger systems, greater specialization, information transmission, and exchange. Male privilege in most contemporary cultures, therefore, rests on gender differences in biological function and social structures.
The pedestal upon which women have been placed historically is rooted in the necessity of many women to bear the next generation. In comparison, only a few men are required as sires, and cultures exploit these facts by requiring more risky ventures of men and more cultural contributions by men. Of course, gender equality has been on the rise in the last half century, and in the closing chapters, Baumeister gives vent to his imagination as he explores how this gender equality may change our culture. His thoughts on the future of marriage, how less competitive work and school environments may impede the development of high quality men, and the increase in narcissism will offend many readers and amuse others.
This work is not footnoted, although Baumeister has provided a list of sources that will allow those so interested to challenge his conclusions. I recommend it only to social workers interested in unconventional viewpoints on gender issues. At the very least, this book is likely to make the reader think about gender from fresh vantage points, but I suspect that Baumeister’s arguments will not be convincing to many.
Peter A. Kindle, Ph.D., CPA, LMSW, is an assistant professor at the University of South Dakota and can be contacted by e-mail at
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Animals in Our Lives: Human-Animal Interaction in Family, Community, and Therapeutic Settings, edited by Peggy McCardle, Sandra McCune, James A. Griffin, Layla Esposito, and Lisa Freund, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 2011, 242 pages, $44.95.
The field of social work includes a litany of different practices, procedures, and policies, the variety of which is not seen in many other fields. There are social workers all over the world trying novel interventions in an attempt to meet clients where they are. Given this broad, inclusive philosophical bent, it is understandable that the field of animal-assisted social work is gaining at least some amount of caché. What is less clear, however, is where social workers who are interested in this field are to go for information, education, and training. Animals in Our Lives is, in many aspects, a concise “state of the practice” treatise.
The book is divided into three broad sections: “Animals in Our Lives,” “Animals and Therapeutic Intervention,” and “Future Research.” Each of those sections is built of chapters on specific topics, all composed by experts on those topics. This organizational structure makes sense and allows individual readers to go directly to chapters that are of the most interest or relevance to them and their particular needs. The chapters are all heavily referenced, making this book simultaneously a good entré into the world of animal-assisted social work for people who are just developing an interest in the field and a resource guide for social workers, counselors, therapists, and researchers who have more experience. The diversity of contributors is sufficiently broad to present a wide variety of opinions and research.
A negative aspect of almost any volume that is composed of chapters written by different authors is that it can feel repetitive at times. I found on more than one occasion that adjacent chapters would cite the same statistic or research finding, although the themes of the chapters were different. Although I do feel this is worth mentioning, I bring it up not as a criticism, but more as a notice to anyone who might buy this book. It is truly the nature of the beast.
As a social worker with a keen interest in alternative therapeutic interventions, I found this book to be very useful. The authors of each chapter were well-versed in their respective topics. The information provided, although not at all overly simplified (I had to brush up on multivariate analysis using ordinal logistic regression at one point), is easy to understand and thoughtfully delivered. Social workers who are interested in learning more about how to work with our friends in the animal kingdom should certainly consider reading this book. Its scope is very broad, but the amount of detail included makes it well worth the investment.
Reviewed by Bob McKinney, MSW, LGSW. Bob has been a social worker in a variety of different settings. He earned his MSW from the University of Alabama School of Social Work, where he is currently working toward his Ph.D. Bob lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with his wife, their son, five dogs, and one cat. Animals have been Bob’s own personal social workers for more than 15 years.
The Social Worker: A Novel, by Michael Ungar, Pottersfield Press, Lawrencetown Beach, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2011, 286 pages, $22.95.
The Social Worker is a haunting tale of the social work industry, told from both sides of the therapist’s desk. The narrator recounts his experiences as both a young child in the system and as an adult trying to make it right for so many lost souls. He has a very comforting way of delivering the details of some of the most harrowing situations he encounters.
As a young man, our narrator is a very angry, but extremely perceptive person. He twists and winds his way through countless juvenile arrests and detentions with the insight and grace of a seasoned veteran. As the reader, you will be touched one minute, and want to throw your book at him a moment later. His port in the storm is his social worker, John. The relationship that slowly forms between the two will repeatedly touch your heart and cause your eyes to tear. And seeing the man our narrator becomes will reinforce the necessity of good adult role models for our children. John is a wonderful tribute to the social worker and the part he or she plays in a child’s journey.
Once our narrator hits adulthood, it is easy to see the lasting effects his experiences have had on him. From his tumultuous childhood, he has taken some of the more valuable lessons and used those experiences to further his own rapport with his clients. The wisdom he utilizes fits seamlessly into almost every situation and problem he encounters.
Although the different cases he works on are beyond difficult, his manner and easy language make the reader want to try his or her hand at social work. And although this book is not for the faint of heart, it will make one think before passing judgment on those clients of the modern-day “system.”
Reviewed by Thomas W. Proctor, M.Ed., MSW, LCSW-C, Residential Clinical Therapist, Catholic Charities, Villa Maria.
Is It Ethical? 101 Scenarios in Everyday Social Work Practice: A Discussion Workbook, by Thomas Horn, 2011, White Hat Communications, Harrisburg, PA, 118 pages, $14.95, paperback.
Within the introduction, Horn notes that his intended audience includes social work practitioners and students. On the surface, he seems to stress that his work is particularly helpful for social work students (BSW and MSW). He notes that students and practicing social workers are earnest in their efforts to put the needs of clients first, but ethical issues are not immediately apparent without forethought. The notion of analyzing ethical scenarios will sharpen a social worker’s ethical decision-making process.
As the title indicates, the work includes 101 different scenarios that might arise in practice or can be the springboard for the decision-making process in similar practice situations. Three points about the book are salient. First, the scenarios are not equal in their level of complexity. This is a great benefit to the entry-level social work student. If all the scenarios were of a high level of ethical complexity, students would become frustrated and question whether social work is best suited for them. Second, the author does an excellent job in illustrating the level of damage that can occur when working with a client. Some demonstrate no explicit harm, while others illustrate long-term or permanent emotional damage. Third, and perhaps most important, the scenarios run the entire gamut of the NASW Code of Ethics. Thus, the book is comprehensive in the presentation of ethical standards. Nothing seems to be left out.
In terms of the structure of the book, the author affords readers an opportunity to construct their own scenarios for the benefit of self-learning and sharing with others. In addition, the author includes URLs for the various international codes of ethics (i.e., New Zealand, India, Australia, England, Canada, International, Ireland, and South Africa). The author also includes a list of journals addressing ethical issues in social work. This list affords the reader more venues for learning. The author includes an index, which lays out where a reader can find ethical scenarios for specific types of ethical dilemmas.
We have learned that a social work professor has field tested some of the scenarios with BSW students. He learned that the scenarios provided a sound foundation for understanding the fundamentals of ethical practice in a manner that exceeds his practice experience. We find that the scenarios strengthen a student’s critical thinking skills. Students are afforded an opportunity to envision different practice situations with different ethical theories and perspectives. It is particularly noteworthy to acknowledge that CSWE’s new standards explicitly mandate the strengthening of social work students’ critical thinking skills. Horn’s work will greatly benefit faculty who need to comply with this new standard.
We have learned that the book should not be read in isolation by entry-level BSW students. The book seems to be designed for discussion. We, therefore, strongly recommend this work as a text for social work ethics or practice courses—stressing that the greatest learning benefit emerges from discussing the scenarios. Professors will quickly realize that the scenarios link up with all the ethical codes (i.e., New Zealand, India, Australia, England, Canada, International, Ireland, South Africa) for which the URLs can be found in the back of the book. Thus, using the book is a great way for students to learn their respective codes of ethics.
Reviewed By Tayloe B. Compton, BSW candidate, and Stephen M. Marson, Ph.D., professor of sociology and criminal justice, University of North Carolina, Pembroke.
The Therapeutic Relationship, Individualized Treatment and Other Keys to Successful Psychotherapy, by John Norcross, Ph.D., Psychotherapy.net, Mill Valley, CA, 2011, 1 hour 21 minutes, $39.00 Individual Version (DVD only), $49.00 (DVD plus CE credit), $139.00 Group Version (DVD plus Instructor’s Manual).
Set against a sparse backdrop with little more than a table and a few books, John Norcross, prominent clinical psychologist and professor, answers compelling psychotherapy treatment questions posed by psychologist Randall C. Wyatt. This interview, which often feels more like a thoughtful conversation, emphasizes something social workers have long known–the importance of the relationship between therapist and client.
The video is thus aptly named, The Therapeutic Relationship, Individualized Treatment and Other Keys to Successful Psychotherapy. It is broken down into chapters with enticing titles, such as “Making of Great Therapists,” “Keys to a Successful Therapy,” and “Are Therapists Nuts?” Whereas there are many points in common across these various topics, each chapter holds several gems of information and a multitude of practical tips.
Norcross states that he sees psychotherapy as an “...interpersonal relationship with curative goals.” He draws on his own experience and research to support his thesis. When he asks clients why they think their psychotherapy went so well, they respond, “Because you treated me like a person.” Norcross advises therapists to remind themselves that “in this moment, the most important objective is understanding this person.”
Norcross provides the following helpful questions to guide the crucial client-therapist relationship:
How do you think psychotherapy is going?
How are we doing?
What would you like more or less of?
The client’s perspective is thus validated through the collection of this useful feedback.
He also emphasizes that the therapist should not present herself or himself as some “ideal” cloistered away in an “ivory tower,” but as an actual person. Living a full life and tending to one’s own psychotherapy is highly stressed.
Whereas Norcross makes many interesting and valid points together with a wealth of important treatment information throughout this DVD, seasoned social workers will likely already be quite familiar with his philosophy.
In truth, many second-year graduate students of social work will already be conversant with his emphasis on the fundamentals of tailoring the treatment to meet the client’s needs, starting where the patient is, treating every patient as an individual, and not ignoring treatment ruptures.
That said, this is part of what makes the DVD an excellent teaching and continuing education tool, especially for social work professors looking to revisit the basics and enrich their lectures. Its use as a teaching tool is greatly enhanced by the thorough instructor’s manual written by Ali Miller, MFT, which provides discussion questions, role-play ideas, and a complete transcript of the video.
Of note, the DVD is produced by Psychotherapy.net, a comprehensive Web site with valuable information and free interview transcripts from several prominent therapists, many of whom are also social workers. Not only can the DVD be kept as a valuable reference tool; viewers can also earn CE credits for watching this video by taking an online test.
Reviewed by Jamie Keaton Jones, LCSW, psychotherapy training candidate at Washington Square Institute in New York City.
The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals, by Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper, Cleis Press, 2008, 252 pages, $16.95, paperback, and Helping Your Transgender Teen: A Guide for Parents, by Irwin Krieger, Genderwise Press, 2011, 86 pages, $12.95, paperback.
In 1948, Alfred Kinsey introduced German endocrinologist Harry Benjamin to a child who “wanted to become a girl,” despite being born male. Thus began Benjamin’s work with the transgender population, which was discussed in his 1966 book, The Transsexual Phenomenon. Much progress has been made since that time, yet transphobia remains prevalent, much of which is likely due to ignorance and misinformation. It is important that we as professionals become independently educated on everything from a transyouth’s experience to its impact on one’s family.
For those looking for reading material on transgender children who may have begun to identify with their non-birth gender as early as age two, you won’t find a more all-inclusive book than The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals. Written by Gender Spectrum Education and Training co-founder Stephanie Brill and former Coordinator of LGBT Studies Rachel Pepper, this book covers youth from ages 2-18.
Although there is a great deal of medical information provided, it is intermixed with personal anecdotes from transgender youth, their family members, and their teachers. This allows the reader to comprehend both the clinical and research sides of being transgender while remaining emotionally aware of the difficulties and triumphs of guiding a transgender young person. Chapters include “Is My Child Transgender?” and “Family Acceptance: From Crisis to Empowerment.” Also included are discussions regarding the legal system and what medical issues a transgender child may face. Although the book may appear a bit daunting at 252 pages, it is an easier read than expected, thanks to the mix of personal stories and subtitled sections.
If you’re looking for an excellent book on transgender teen issues, pick up Helping Your Transgender Teen: A Guide for Parents, written by Irwin Krieger, a clinical social worker with 25 years of experience in the LGBT field, seven with transyouth. This book’s small size makes it an easy-to-digest starter choice for someone with little to no background knowledge of this topic. Perhaps this book is for a student wishing to learn about another population, or for parents whose child just came out to them as transgender, or maybe for a clinician with a transgender teen client scheduled for a session next week. Whatever the reason you’re reading, whomever the reader, this book starts where the reader is without being condescending. The terminology is basic and straightforward, and there is no pressure to simply accept a person’s transgender identity, as if it isn’t a difficult adjustment. The author does an excellent job explaining the differences between gender and sexuality, recognizing that this isn’t something a parent “just gets over,” and addressing a parent’s common misconception that she or he has caused her or his child to be transgender.
Throughout, the reader is given a helping hand at understanding the process of coming out and living as a transgender person. Sections called “examining your concerns” allow the reader to not feel silly, politically incorrect, or offensive for feeling anxiety over many of the common fears associated with the identification and transitioning process. In addition, sections specific to transitioning from each birth gender to each chosen gender disseminate more specific information regarding school, social groups, peers, hormone therapy options, and surgical choices. The book closes with a great resource guide and an inclusive glossary section.
With either book, the reader will come away with a better understanding of the difficulties a transperson faces, what the most up-to-date research is showing, ideas of how to aid and empower transyouth, and a sense of what the transition feels like for a family member who may be as new to what “transgender” means as the youth who is living it. Armed with this knowledge, any social worker will have additional tools to become a better clinician, a better advocate for the equal treatment of all, and to fight transphobia with education.
Reviewed by Kristen Marie (Kryss) Shane, MSW, LMSW, program director at HANAC’s Ravenswood NORC in Astoria, NY, and an advocate for the LGBTQ community on local and national levels.
These reviews appeared in THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER, Fall 2011, Vol. 18, No. 4, pages 27-30.
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