Abstract
Without securing permanent structural changes that impact not only the provision of social welfare services, but the laws that safeguard those services, women, and people in other oppressed groups are at the mercy of those in power, who are most often actors in the realm of politics and primarily men. Phillips takes an historical approach that links many facets of feminism with social justice advocacy/actions across the world. With remarkable breadth and depth, she examines the resiliency of feminist practice, which continues to be villainized. Why so? Feminists threaten those who benefit directly and indirectly from patriarchal customs, laws, and regulations; therefore, they and the women they fight for and alongside must be kept in their place. Phillips acknowledges that feminism is diverse in theory and practice, as well as united with the goal to eliminate sexism and oppression of vulnerable individuals.
As a White author, Phillips recognizes her privileges, which she addresses, as one example, by organizing feminist issues and contributions through comparing the realities of both the global North and global South. While this distinction is fluid, it underscores the dominance and influence of the global North over the global South. White feminism is a response to White patriarchy, which is evidenced in the historical impact of the global North on social and economic factors and colonization in the global South. Additionally, the influence of highly patriarchal religions across the world contributes to supporting the gendered nature of most societies. The waves of feminism in diverse countries such as, for example, France, Mexico, Egypt, Indonesia, China, Sweden, the United States, and Australia, exemplify ongoing attempts to disrupt and change systemic power relations that oppress individuals. These efforts focus upon the elimination of racism, sexism, heterosexism, the feminization of poverty, and other forms of violence and control.
Using a global policy lens, Phillips explores in depth the following areas: domestic violence; motherhood, trans-parenthood, and maternal rights; reproductive justice, rights, and welfare; older and old women; and the criminal justice system and the law. Exploring these issues across time and countries shows both the gains and losses of feminist advocacy, but most importantly, the reality that policy changes to support women can be diminished and/or eliminated in what feels like a heartbeat. The current battle over abortion rights in the United States is a clear example, as well as the ongoing misogynistic impact of ex-President Donald Trump both in the United States as well as internationally.
In authoring this review, it is impossible for me to do justice to the complex issues, set in contemporary and historical contexts, outlined in this book. What cuts across all topics is the unstable nature of legislation, the ongoing need for vigilance and resiliency, and the fundamental commitment of feminists and social workers to engage, in whatever ways and arenas possible, in social welfare policy development and implementation.
The chapter on older and old (meaning frail, aged) women piqued my interest due in part to my own age and to the fact that inadequate attention is paid to the frightening and often unexpected conditions, such as homelessness and lack of economic security, in which a growing number of older women find themselves. As Philips points out, …for women entering old age, material, structural issues, and identities such as their ethnic, racial, sexual, educational, parental, employment, health, dis/ability and relationship opportunities have already been bound up in and coloured by gendered expectations and restraints. This results in a high-level impact on their life course. (p. 124)
As such, every subject examined in this book is critically important for women, and other oppressed individuals, and for feminist emancipatory social welfare practice.
Phillips ends the book with a discussion of the fourth wave of feminism which she sets in the post-1990s. With the advent and explosion of communication technologies and social media, younger activists can respond quickly and collaborate across borders. The Black Lives Matter and #Metoo Movements are examples of efforts to address racism and sexism, not only in the United States, but in other countries as well. Phillips sees intersectionality, inclusivity of gender, and positivity as being characteristic of fourth wave (contemporary) feminism.
This book holds relevance for a variety of disciplines including law, criminal justice, gerontology, sociology, nursing, medicine, and social work. Phillips’ keen and thorough analytical skills provide the reader with a critical lens to understand both the common and vastly different realities of women worldwide and the ongoing efforts of feminists to change laws, at all levels of organizations and governments, that oppress women and rob them of rights as human beings. This is a well-researched and must-read text for those engaged in both direct service provision and social justice advocacy during these turbulent and unsettling times.