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The Careless Society: Community And Its Counterfeits
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 361.973
EAN: 9780465091263
ISBN: 0465091261
Label: Basic Books
Manufacturer: Basic Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 208
Publication Date: April 01, 1996
Publisher: Basic Books
Studio: Basic Books
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Editorial Review:
Amid all the hand-wringing about the loss of community in America these days, here is a book that celebrates the ability of neighborhoods to heal themselves from within. John McKnight shows how competent communities have been invaded and colonized by professionalized services—often with devastating results. Overwhelmed by these social services, the spirit of community falters: families collapse, schools fail, violence spreads, and medical systems spiral out of control. Instead of more or better services, the basis for resolving many of America’s social problems is the community capacity of the local citizens.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - The Careless Characterization of Helping Professionals
McKnight's concerns about communities' dependency on professional assistance are legitimate, but disturbingly overstated in this book.
In the end I felt McKnight's trashing of the already well-trodden government provision of social services may not be altogether helpful to distressed communities. He sidesteps concerns of capital mobility and exploitation and the pernicious effects wrought by years of discrimination. Any debate over when and where and how social programs can be effective ... Read More
Rating:  - A Strong Diagnosis of the Diagnostic Approach
McKnight, a scholar of social policy working at Northwestern University, throws harsh words at the medical, advocacy, and professional institutions. His observations are not only insightful, but they are well reasoned as well as articulated in a clear way. Although it may seem as though his writings underestimate the professional ethic of modern medicine, it is clear to an understanding reader that his purpose isn't to simply throw mud, but to inspire communities.
Using examples from his home ... Read More
Rating:  - Must Reading.
I worked in the mental health-social service industry for many years. From the beginning it was impressed upon me that clients without economic value to the agency get booted out the door. And on numerous occasions I observed how families were broken apart because the government will spend money on professionals but wont spend money for a motel and a few meals or a car repair.
On the other-hand McKnight misses a salient point about people: They often get into trouble because no one is caring for ... Read More
Rating: - Good idea, but too wordy
The recognition that the caring professions are destroying communities was eye-opening, but each chapter seemed almost the same as the chapter before. Read a couple, and you'll get the idea.
Rating: - Must read for any health professional
This book tests our conventional wisdom about "care." As a Registered Nurse with a Masters in Health Admin., I applaud McKnight's truthful look into the world of health care - or rather "disease care." Our lives have become over dependent on professionals, less dependent on ourseleves and our communities. We have forgotten that care begins with us - and we can never really pay anyone to care for us. Quick, insightful read - hope for more from McKnight on this critical topic.
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