ABSTRACT
The British pride themselves on being a pragmatic people, with a practical turn of mind. Problems are stated and solutions found. Theory is suspect, an excuse for unwarranted and distorting prejudice. This view is expressed by a senior British politician when speaking about a new programme-Sure Start-focused on young children and their families living in economically disadvantaged areas: ‘[Sure Start] is based on evidence and experience, not on theory and dogma’ (Sure Start Unit 1999:22). Other charges laid against theory include incomprehensibility and distracting irrelevance. So we approach this chapter with some trepidation, for we must admit that it seems to us that theories are important and inescapable.
