Review: Lena Robinson Cross-Cultural Child Development for Social Workers Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007, 222 pp. (inc. index), £18.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780333726105
Abstract
ReviewLena Robinson Cross-Cultural Child Development for Social Workers Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007, 222 pp. (inc. index), £18.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780333726105 SAGE Publications, Inc.2008DOI: 10.1177/14680173080080040703 Jean Nursten University of Reading, England The Foreword acknowledges that the focus of this timely book on cross-cultural child development is addressed to social workers who practise in a multi- cultural society. The failure to work in a way which takes into account the ethnic and racial qualities of both Black and Asian children is emphasized. This is strong criticism of social work practice and raises questions in one's mind on starting to read Robinson's book. What is the evidence? Does this relate to courses of action, such as certain children being taken disproportionally into care? Is it a criticism of the teaching of social work at degree level, whether in college or the eld? Robinson then scrutinizes research material in relation to Black people's and minority groups' development during childhood and adolescence. Publi- cations quoted stem mostly from the USA and to a lesser extent from the UK and other countries. The terminology is clearly de ned and the bibliography is comprehensive. Each of the chapters summarizes theoretical underpinnings and references are meticulously