Social Work and Human Rights [Hardcover]

Elisabeth Reichert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0231123086 | ISBN-13: 978-0231123082

As social work students and practitioners encounter the term "human rights" with greater frequency, there is a pressing need for them to understand its meaning, especially in contradistinction to the related concept of "social justice." This book is an overview of human rights ideas and laws for social workers that stresses the importance of human rights in all types of social work policy and practice. The volume first traces the history and development of human rights from the passage of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and subsequent international documents. In particular, Social Work and Human Rights addresses issues relating to vulnerable groups, including women, children, disabled persons, the HIV- or AIDS-infected population, gays and lesbians, victims of racism, and older persons. The book concludes with indispensable case studies that illustrate the application of human rights theory in real-life settings. These case studies demonstrate how to identify relevant human rights issues and then connect these issues to ethical responsibilities in order to form an appropriate intervention scenario with the client.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Foundation documents provide an essential tool for understanding the issues and applying the understanding to concrete social policy advocacy and action.

(Canadian Association of Social Workers Bulletin )

A human rights compass—a preliminary guide for the translation of human rights for social workers.... It is to be welcomed.

(Jeremy Roche European Journal of Social Work )

As soon as this text is published I will adopt it.... The day-to-day applications of articles contained in an international policy instrument, such as the right to health care and nutrition, assist social workers in their lobbying efforts with government... This is a text which is overdue for social work students and faculty.

(Rosemary Link, Augsburg College )

Reichert makes human rights concepts come alive.... Practice case examples and human rights analysis of the NASW's Code of Ethics are particularly valuable in orienting the reader to the domestic practice applications of the global human rights movement.

(Lynne M. Healy, University of Connecticut )

About the Author

Elizabeth Reichert teaches social work policy and practice at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (March 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231123086
• ISBN-13: 978-0231123082
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,836,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding contribution to the field of human rights, October 9, 2003

By 

Katherine van Wormer (cedar falls, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Social Work and Human Rights (Paperback)

I was honored to write the foreword for this outstanding book. This book takes us beyond social justice into the arena of human rights. Issues relating to vulnerable populations including women, children, disabled persons, racial and ethnic minorities, and gays and lesbians are magnificently covered within a human rights context. This volume effectively brings social work into the 21st Century!