line

CM Archive
CM Archive Book Review line
TOO FEW TO COUNT: CANADIAN WOMEN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW

Edited by Ellen Adelberg and Claudia Currie

Vancouver, Press Gang Publish­ers, 1987. 253pp, paper, $14.95
ISBN 0-88974-009-7. CIP


Grades 10 and up/Ages 15 and up
Reviewed by Marilyn Aldworth.

Volume 18 Number 1
1990 January


This anthology contains nine essays, which are definitely thought provoking, controversial and disturbing. The book presents an accurate picture of women and crime in Canada and how women are discriminated against in our male-dominated justice system.

Press Gang Publishers is known for its feminist analysis and Too Few to Count is no exception. Written by some very respected people in the field of criminology, this book helps to break down some of the myths about women in prison. It also points out that very little research has been done on female offenders, supposedly because they have been considered too few in number. But the articles challenge that premise by stating that these small numbers would make it easier to collect data, analyze the women's needs, and plan programs to assist them if the political will were there to initiate such action.

The chapter entitled "In Their Own Words" is very moving and I found it quite sad. It is the story of seven women convicted of serious offences who tell their personal stories.

The book is well organized and includes an excellent bibliography and a list of lobby and advocacy groups for women across Canada. It is also well indexed and contains detailed notes and black-and-white photographs of women in prisons.

I would highly recommend this book for use in any women's studies courses or criminology/sociology or law courses. An excellent book to spark discussion and debate about the treat­ment of women by the courts and prisons.


Marilyn Aldworth, North Vancouver School District, North Vancouver, B.C.
line indexes

HOME | TITLES | AUTHORS | MEDIA | AGE/GRADE | FEATURES

1971-1979 | 1980-1985 | 1986-1990 | 1991-1995

line

The materials in this archive are copyright © The Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission Copyright information for reviewers

Young Canada Works

cm@umanitoba.ca