Abstract
Not the Whole Story: Challenging the Single Mother Narrative, edited by Lea Caragata and Judit Alcalde, makes an important and unique contribution to the social work profession. It provides a riveting first-hand account of the experiences of 16 low-income, single mother-headed families on social assistance in Canada and the diverse circumstances in their lives. The book was written as a true collaboration between the authors and the 16 mothers who bravely tell their stories. This text emerged from their work together on a research and community engagement project entitled, “Lone Mothers: Building Social Inclusion,” which took place between 2004 and 2010.
The volume was written with two primary objectives “to provide a window into the lives of hardship and resilience lived by so many poor single mothers in Ontario and in Canada, and to frame what we believe are some of the significant public policy issues that, as an inclusive and civil Canadian society, we might wish to remedy in the interest of better and more equal opportunities for these women and their children” (pp. 7–8). The book exceeds these goals.
What is particularly impressive is the way the participants and professionals involved in this project worked together providing the reader with a rich and accessible account of the complex and multilayered personal circumstances and systemic and structural barriers these women and their children face. The authors identify important themes in the women’s stories, with each of the 16 women describing horrific past and/or present abuse. Most experienced multiple traumas, kept these experiences secret and internalized a sense of shame and responsibility that was often reinforced by their immediate surroundings and the larger patriarchal society in which they live. The traumatic experiences often lead to addiction, other self-destructive behaviors, and deep struggles to cultivate and find self-worth. Racism and colonialism, gender inequality, and frustrating and degrading experiences with the social service system were other themes that emerged. The book also highlights what tenacious, intelligent, fiercely loving, and protective mothers these women are, dispelling some of the ingrained negative stereotypes attributed to women on welfare.
A significant strength of the book is its ability to seamlessly interweave direct practice, research, and policy content, giving the reader insight into the interconnection between the three, providing a holistical view of the problem and potential solutions. This book would be beneficial for all social workers and helping professionals, especially those new to the field. It would be relevant and enriching to many social work courses, including research, social policy and macro-level practice, direct practice courses, and courses that focus on trauma and violence against women, as well as on substance abuse. The book provides a clear example of the power of participatory action research and brings to life why understanding and addressing social policy is vital to social work. It could be particularly useful to those living outside Canada, as it exposes the reader to Canadian social policy and provides insight into the similarities and differences in international social policies.
The book accomplishes its goals in a gripping and memorable way. It is a call to action for all of us to work toward creating a more compassionate and just society, regardless of nationality, and provides a helpful road map for moving us in the right direction. I applaud the authors for writing such a thought-provoking, well-written book and their painstaking efforts to examine the whole story, making the voices of the women who have lived these experiences paramount.