Human Services in Contemporary America

Striking a balance between realism and idealism, pessimism and optimism, theory and application, and analysis and action, this multidisciplinary introduction to the field of human services is designed to enhance the reader's capacity to facilitate the lives of others. Based on the authors' belief that a humanistic perspective -- combined with a realistic awareness of pressing social problems -- provides the best foundation for creative and effective helping, the authors provide a survey of what human services is and what it takes to be a human services worker. .The authors cover all essential areas of human services, devoting separate chapters to consumers of human services, major historical developments in the field, the most commonly used approaches to helping, and factors contributing to the need for services. The Third Edition takes into account recent economic and political trends, including the current budgetary squeeze on domestic social programs, coupled with worsening conditions in our society (increased incidence of illiteracy, unemployment, teen pregnancies, school dropouts, and drug abuse).