Search for an Indicator of Effective Child Protection in a Re-analysis of Child Homicide in the Major Western Countries 1973-1992: A Response to Lindsey and Trocme and Macdonald

Correspondence to Professor Cohn Pritchard, Department of Social Work Studies, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1 BJ England Summary An analysis of child homicides published in the British Journalof Social Work, demonstrated major falls in child deaths inEngland and Wales between 1973 and 1988. The results were seenas one indicator of improved child protection (Pritchard, 1992a).That study, and a reply to a critique by Creighton (1993), werechallenged by Lindsey and Trocmé (1994) and Macdonald(1995). This paper is a response, and takes advantage of thecriticisms and new data to present evidence which confirms thatthere have been reductions in child homicide in England andWales between 1973 and 1992 and that the Anglo-Welsh improvementswere the best of all the major Western countries.     

Social Workers' Orientations: an Action Perspective

Summary The established sociological approach to social workers' orientationshas led to a restricted picture of the day-to-day conduct ofsocial workers. Adopting a different perspective, the work discussedhere resulted in an ideal typology of eight orientations. Thearticle describes these types and refers briefly to some propositionsand conclusions that arise.     

The Family Dynamics of School Phobics

Summary A casework based method of assessment was devised to examinethe family dynamics of school phobic children. There was significantdifferences found between the family interaction of male andfemale school phobic children. The relationships were dichotomizedalong gender lines, that were broadly oedipal in nature. Thesefindings and methodological problems were discussed     

The Rise of Relativism: The Future of Theory and Knowledge Development in Social Work

Correspondence to Colin Peile, Department of Social Work and Social Policy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia Summary This paper explores a range of paradigms evident in recent debatesabout social work theory and epistemology, including the positivist,post-positivist, interpretivist, critical, ecological, feminist,poststructural and creative positions. While applauding theopenness generated by these competing approaches, concerns areraised about the emergence of a meta-paradigm of relativism.After identifying the evidence of this move towards relativismin various paradigms, the potential problems and limitationsof this trend for social work are explored. Relativism has,however, played an important role in undermining dogmatic attachmentsto certain positions and the paper attempts to rescue this usefulquality of relativism while combining it with a constructivecommitment to creative action.     

Touch, Sexuality and Power in Residential Settings

Summary This paper examines areas of concern surrounding touch, sexualityand associated power in residential establishments. The placeof touch and the expression of sexuality are considered in relationto residents and staff. It is suggested that these are importantfactors in framing a concept of residential care based on rightsand duties, and that current practice often takes a limitedperspective of some of the fundamental needs of residents     

OFFSHORING PRODUCTION: A SIMPLE MODEL OF WAGES,PRODUCTIVITY, AND GROWTH

We examine the relationship between offshoring and the labor market in an occupational choice model of trade and endogenous growth where workers are employed on the basis of their individual skill levels. Trade liberalization leads to offshoring and reduces employment in the manufacturing sector. Displaced workers move into traditional and innovation sectors according to their skill levels, shaping real wages and aggregate productivity in the manufacturing sector. The paper aims to show how inter‐sectoral labor market adjustments, highlighted by skill heterogeneity, could be a possible explanation for the simultaneous rise in productivity and reduction in real wages that have coincided with the sharp escalation of offshoring activities in the U.S. manufacturing sector since 2004. (JEL F16, F23, J24)