Drawing on Foucault's later work on governmentality, this book traces the effects of 'the rise of risk' on contemporary social work practice. Focusing on two 'domains' of practice - mental health social work and probation work - it analyses the ways in which risk thinking has affected social work's aims and objectives, methods and approaches.

Praise for InvestmentGuarantees

"In addition to being a valuable and innovative addition to the literature on risk management of equity-linked insurance, this book provides a uniquely clear demonstration of using different measures in a very practical context. A great way of showing actuaries how to ‘mind their Ps and Qs’!"
—Boris Brizeli
Principal and Chief Operations Officer
GE Insource Limited

"This is an extremely well written and comprehensive book which will be useful for both practitioners and graduate students. It provides a unique synthesis of techniques and tools in econometrics, financial engineering, and simulation applied to questions of fundamental importance in insurance."
—Dr. Andrew Cairns
Reader in Financial and Actuarial Mathematics
Heriot-Watt University

"Investment Guarantees will become the reference book of choice for both actuaries and non-actuaries alike working in the field of guarantees associated with equity-linked products. The book provides an excellent balance between theory and practice in the course of contrasting actuarial modeling and option pricing theory as applied to guarantees on equity-linked products."
—Larry M. Gorski
Life Actuary
Illinois Department of Insurance

"Professor Hardy strikes the right balance between theory development and practical demonstration, offering insights to both novices and experienced practitioners. Her comprehensive treatment of risk modeling of investment guarantees will benefit actuaries and financial engineers alike, allowing each to understand better the nature and management of equity exposure. Exceptionally readable, Investment Guarantees is an invaluable resource for insurance and financial professionals working with equity-linked insurance and annuity products."
—Geoffrey H. Hancock
Principal
Mercer Risk, Finance & Insurance Consulting

Drawing on Foucault's later work on governmentality, this book traces the effects of 'the rise of risk' on contemporary social work practice. Focusing on two 'domains' of practice - mental health social work and probation work - it analyses the ways in which risk thinking has affected social work's aims and objectives, methods and approaches.

Candace rekindles an old flame. Lena is trying to keep her family together. Harriet is personally targeted by an unknown follower, as Desi scores big on a new business venture. There are those who are trying to stay alive in a violent town, while others have given up. Women who are defined by their circumstances are left to collect the pieces of their lives, pressing forward. But for those who cannot have to find themselves another way for survival.

What happens to the investments made in a relationship? Broken-hearted and unpredictable people are a danger to themselves, leaving casualties in their wake. After every storm, there is no clear path to progression, just a chance to give a second one. Desi receives a visit from a childhood friend, reminding her of the good times. Reese is occupied with the family restaurant, facing some tough life decisions. Rich grows tired of Lena's antics. Will he fight for the baby? Harriet's senses are awakened. Candace is betrayed, again. Another weekend in the town leaves more questions and misunderstandings unresolved.

Kendra and her boyfriend are sharing the same girl. This tale chronicles the lives of several queer women who navigate life in silence. They find strength in one another, dealing with drug addiction, assault, personality disorders, closeted behavior, hopelessness and denial. A society forged on the edge of the mainstream; right at the very thin line between love and hate, with no rules on the inside, and minimal intrusion from the outside. Anything might happen over the period of a weekend that could change a woman's life, legacy or virtue.