Review by Choice Review
In Who Cares?, Schwartz takes on those social institutions intended to provide services to physically and developmentally disabled individuals. According to the author, the ineffectiveness of institutionalized support is, in large part, a result of its "success." As institutions grow bureaucratization becomes a central part of the helping system, resulting in homogenization through standardized practices. What is really lost through such bureaucratization is the human element of helping. Moreover, with the rise and subsequent predominance of formal systems of treatment, more personal, informal methods are difficult to imagine, let alone develop. Although this work highlights the usefulness of informal community-based methods, the author urges a balance between the two approaches. Overall, Who Cares? is a highly readable book, but rigorous scholars will find it light not only on empirical evidence for its claims, but also on any references to other empirical work that might support its thesis. All levels. C. J. Zicari; SUNY at Stony Brook
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
