After the Cradle Falls: What Child Abuse Is, How We Respond To It, And What You Can Do About It, by Melissa Jonson-Reid and Brett Drake, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 9780190653033, New York, 2018, 228 pages, $24.37.
After a brief foray into the history of this complex and complicated topic, the authors provide an explanation of where child maltreatment as an issue in the United States finds itself today. After the Cradle Falls focuses on child abuse in a way that engages the reader without being overly horrifying or discouraging. An overview of child neglect follows. The authors then address child sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and family violence as a context in which child maltreatment often arises. From a social worker’s perspective, the following chapter on resilience and treatment is worth the price of admission, as it reframes the issue into “strengths perspective” as a practice tool. Throughout the book, the authors use stories, fairy tales, and illustrations to bring home their points. As the book approaches its conclusion, it offers an action plan for five levels of practice: individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The book concludes with an appendix chock-full of resources for any individual or group wanting to know more.
Who can benefit from this book?
Social workers considering a change in area of practice would do well to familiarize themselves with the contents of this book. It’s a clear-eyed look at the sometimes murky and depressing area of practice, which alternatively can be very rewarding.
Social work students could use it as a reference book in a child welfare course, as it can broaden their perspective. Sometimes folks in the community think that all we social workers do is “take kids away from their mamas,” and sometimes this reviewer has had to explain that yes, yes, sometimes we must. This book looks at why we must, and could help students clarify their own values.
Social work educators are often in search of alternative perspectives to a “just the facts” approach, and this book is not only a look at what is going on in this area, but a look at why, and most significantly, what practical things we can do with that information.
Finally, it is unlikely to be of practical use to clients, although those in Parents Anonymous or a similar organization might benefit from its approach.
The book’s strengths include its readability and the authors’ approach to the reader, which is very relational. No weaknesses were identified, assuming it is not being used as the only text in a child welfare course (which is also noted by the authors).
Reviewed by Elizabeth Walker, LCSW, Ed.D., Core MSW Faculty, Walden University.
