ABSTRACT
The need to integrate different theoretical perspectives and for an integrated mode of intervention also arises from the wide range of people who become users of social services. Many are, or have been, capable people in many areas of their lives, and their experiences can never adequately be understood by theory. Any theory or idea can provide only a partial explanation of a multitude of complex and interacting factors in people’s lives, and one of the most oppressive factors in social work ‘practice’ has been the way ‘theory’ has been used. Take, for example, the theory of ‘maternal deprivation’ which held sway for many years and, despite much criticism, still retains some influence. This theory legitimated the prejudice that a mother’s place was at home. By placing the burden of responsibility on the mother, it has been oppressive to women; the status of women who have had to do paid work, especially black and working-class women, has been
severely devalued. Thus it is important to challenge such one-sided explanations and find a way either of integrating theories (where they are not in conflict), or transforming them.
