Understanding abuse in young people's intimate relationships : female perspectives on power, control and gendered social norms /

The dynamics of abuse in intimate youthful relationships have most often been defined in terms of the social pressure of gendered norms combined with the developmental lack of sophisticated interpersonal skills with which to deal with these social demands. This monograph by Davies (social work, Bangor Univ., UK), which is based on the author's PhD dissertation, follows this well-worn conceptual path, combining a broadly conceived feminist theory with a questionnaire and several quotations from 25 interviews with young women. While the book does not add to readers' theory base or offer new empirical insights, it may offer practitioners in the social work profession a review of some useful guidelines for practice, as well as strategies for encouraging women's empowerment while working to change gendered norms. Summing Up: Optional. Professionals. --Kathleen M. McKinley, Cabrini University