Governing Families: Problematising Technologies in Social Welfare and Criminal Justice

This book explores how technologies are used to govern families, focusing on the poor working class and racialized families, and how these technologies obscure structural inequalities and discriminations. It provides a cross-disciplinary approach to the topic, appealing to researchers, scholars, and professionals in sociology and criminology, as well as policy-makers and professionals working in early years and family intervention programs.

Format: Hardback
Length: 122 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate dynamics of how families are governed through various technological advancements. It explores the compelling strategies employed by states to exert influence, shape, and govern families, recognizing them as both the origin and potential remedy for a diverse array of social issues, including crime. Through a critical examination of family governance in contemporary neo-liberal society, the book sheds light on the pervasive use of technologies such as self-responsibilization, biologization, and artificial intelligence. It draws attention to the marginalized and stigmatized poor working class and racialized families, who are often unfairly labeled as culpable, dysfunctional, and a threat to economic and social order. This obscures the underlying structural inequalities that underpin family lives and the discriminatory practices embedded within the tools used to identify and govern families.

To address this gap, the book brings together sociological and criminological perspectives, offering a distinctive cross-disciplinary approach to the topic. It appeals to researchers, scholars, and lecturers specializing in sociology and criminology, as well as policy-makers and professionals engaged in early years and family intervention programs, including social work, health, education, and the criminologically relevant professions such as police and probation. By unraveling the complex interplay between technology, power, and family dynamics, this book provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of family governance and its implications for society.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 223 x 143 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367530723