Child Welfare Revisited: An Africentric Perspective / Edition 2

by Joyce E. Everett, Sandra S. Chipungu, Bogart R. Leashore

Overview

Why are there proportionally more African American children in foster care than white children? Why are white children often readily adoptable, while African American children are difficult to place? Are these imbalances an indication of institutional racism or merely a coincidence?

In this revised and expanded edition of the classic volume, Child Welfare, twenty-one educators call attention to racial disparities in the child welfare system by demonstrating how practices that are successful for white children are often not similarly successful for African American children. Moreover, contributors insist that policymakers and care providers look at African American family life and child-development from a culturally-based Africentric perspective. Such a perspective, the book argues, can serve as a catalyst for creativity and innovation in the formulation of policies and practices aimed at improving the welfare of African American children.

Child Welfare Revisited offers new chapters on the role of institutional racism and economics on child welfare; the effects of substance abuse, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence; and the internal strengths and challenges that are typical of African American families. Bringing together timely new developments and information, this book will continue to be essential reading for all child welfare policymakers and practitioners.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813534633
Publisher:	Rutgers University Press
Publication date:	09/17/2004
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

JOYCE E. EVERETT is an associate professor and co-chair of the doctoral program and chair of the social welfare policy and services sequence at the Smith College School of Social Work.

SANDRA S. CHIPUNGU is an associate professor and associate dean at Howard University School of Social Work.

BOGART R. LEASHORE is the former dean of the Hunter College School of Social Work.

Table of Contents

List of Figures
List of Tables

Introduction

Part One  Societal and Cultural Context 
Part Two  Understanding African American Families and Children 
Part Three  Using an Africentric Perspective for Practice and Service Delivery 
Conclusions: Still Within Our Power

contributers
index
 

Editorial Reviews

This eclectic collection inevitably will become the definitive source for understanding the Africentric perspective and its application to child welfare.

CHOICE

Anyone who is interested in understanding and improving the plight of African American children in the child welfare system should read this book. . . . The authors skillfully explain important details about African American culture and suggest ways in which child welfare services can incorporate this information.

executive director, National Black Child Development Institute - Evelyn K. Moore