This text seeks to explore and evaluate the claims of what implications the critiques of these perspectives have for practice. Using the British mental health services as a case study, the book critically reviews the various social, political and intellectual developments which have shaped psychiatric practice and the delivery of mental health services. By evaluating the impact which new social and political movements of the 60s and 70s such as anti-racism, anti-psychiatry and radical feminism had on psychiatric thought, the authors argue that these movements led to challenges to the legitimacy of psychiatry. Using theoretical frameworks borrowed from critical criminology, these competing critiques are evaluated and the problems which affect the practice of mental health care in the 21st century are considered.

This text seeks to explore and evaluate the claims of what implications the critiques of these perspectives have for practice. Using the British mental health services as a case study, the book critically reviews the various social, political and intellectual developments which have shaped psychiatric practice and the delivery of mental health services. By evaluating the impact which new social and political movements of the 60s and 70s such as anti-racism, anti-psychiatry and radical feminism had on psychiatric thought, the authors argue that these movements led to challenges to the legitimacy of psychiatry. Using theoretical frameworks borrowed from critical criminology, these competing critiques are evaluated and the problems which affect the practice of mental health care in the 21st century are considered.

First Published in 1995. As feminists reflect on the impact of the 'second wave' of feminism, and assess the gains of the last thirty years, invariably they have questioned whether claims that women have achieved equality are justified. In the late 1980s, there was a proliferation of popular imagery of 'new' men and 'post-feminist' women, with the concept of 'post-feminism' reinforcing and emphasizing the differences between independent, upwardly-mobile, career orientated women, and those women who 'choose' the more 'natural' role of wife and mother. The Illusions of'Post-Feminism':New Women, Old Myths maintains that 'post-feminism' is a myth. Through in-depth interviews with women about four major areas of their lives: education, work, the media and the family, the authors challenge and expose the myths implicit in the concept of 'post-feminism'. The research illustrates that women's discontent continues, despite the assumption that gender equality would result from equal opportunities legislation. The chapters highlight the ineffective nature of liberal reformism and demonstrate how power relations still lie at the root of the oppression of women. With its provoking and challenging analysis, this revealing book breaks the silence of women's real experiences by showing the actuality of women's lives today.

First Published in 1995. As feminists reflect on the impact of the 'second wave' of feminism, and assess the gains of the last thirty years, invariably they have questioned whether claims that women have achieved equality are justified. In the late 1980s, there was a proliferation of popular imagery of 'new' men and 'post-feminist' women, with the concept of 'post-feminism' reinforcing and emphasizing the differences between independent, upwardly-mobile, career orientated women, and those women who 'choose' the more 'natural' role of wife and mother. The Illusions of'Post-Feminism':New Women, Old Myths maintains that 'post-feminism' is a myth. Through in-depth interviews with women about four major areas of their lives: education, work, the media and the family, the authors challenge and expose the myths implicit in the concept of 'post-feminism'. The research illustrates that women's discontent continues, despite the assumption that gender equality would result from equal opportunities legislation. The chapters highlight the ineffective nature of liberal reformism and demonstrate how power relations still lie at the root of the oppression of women. With its provoking and challenging analysis, this revealing book breaks the silence of women's real experiences by showing the actuality of women's lives today.