Cruel but Not Unusual

Violence in Canadian Families

Ramona Alaggia, editor, and Cathy Vine, editor

Book Description

Violence in families and intimate relationships affects a significant proportion of the population—from very young children to the elderly. Although no one is immune to violence, some groups are particularly vulnerable. Cruel but Not Unusual: Violence in Canadian Families is the first book to offer a national survey of the latest research and practice, and it reflects on the patriarchal roots and societal conditions in Canada that have led to the long-standing abuse of women and children. While feminist theories provide an overarching framework, a broad range of approaches is offered to examine and respond to critical aspects of this serious social problem. Topics include: systemic oppression of Aboriginal families and communities; violence in a francophone minority context; child corporal punishment; abuse in the lives of people with disabilities; the objectification of older adults; mother blaming; intimate violence in same-sex relationships; and new approaches to solving the problem of violence in Canadian families.

About Ramona Alaggia, and Cathy Vine

Ramona Alaggia is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. She has worked as a family therapist, clinical director, and consultant for childrens mental health services in Toronto and has published many articles about sexual abuse of children and family violence.

Cathy Vine is the executive director of Voices for Children, where she writes and publishes on the latest research about childrens development and well-being. She is co-author of Gardens of Shame: The Tragedy of Martin Kruze and the Sexual Abuse at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Reviews

Table of Contents

Related interest

Children's rights

Communication studies

Social work

Sociology

Women's studies