Book Review

Book review: The Deshaney case by Lyne Curry

Introduction

The Deshaney Case: Child Abuse, Family Rights, And the Dilemma of State Intervention by Lynne Curry provide understanding of the law. The cases remain of immense debate throughout the times. She portrays a number of cases throughout her book. She puts into light a five year young boy, who was killed in United States. Another important part of her writing was the highlights of the nineteenth and twentieth century's child protective services. Her work is a great exemplary piece based on the protection of children rights.

In terms of previous works in the field, the writer believes that her work was unique. She works on the issues of child abuse that were previously not taken into account in such a graceful manner. The story telling form of the book serves as a platform for those who have an interest in studying the children rights and their psychology.

Curry never lose the human dimension of the case, as till the end of the book she remain attached to the curiosity of the issues., as she remain focused about the young boy Joshua DeShaney who at present still survive in the disabled home for children. (Curry, pp. 135)

Discussion

The phenomenon of study reveals that Curry focus was on the rights of a private family and welfare state. The main element of her project is to reveal the circumstances that the abused children has to face and the challenges they face in reintegrating as a part of community. (Curry, pp. 45). The book is presented in a case form serving as a guide related to abolition of children rights in history and thus, provides an analysis of the American legal history.

Curry has presented a fabulous evaluation and analysis of a legal case that puts pressure on the Supreme Court. The focus is on the crucial issue when a boy was killed. His mother sued the Winnebago County Department of Social Services for their failure to consider the protection of her child. The writer in a concise manner introduces the characters of Joshua and his parents, the authority (social or child protecting workers) who were handling the case, and the paramedical staff involved. A brief history of the United States social work is also a part of the story. One of the chapters provides a view of the development of child protection laws in U.S Curry explains all the court proceedings in a very convincing manner. The case analysis was about the tension between the goals of child protection and those of family rights protection.

On the basis of the legal briefings and interviews in the court, the writer provides a description about the strategic decisions made by the complainant's lawyers, the legal briefs conducted in the court and the relevant prior court decisions.

The defendant's lawyers make a point that the boy was killed just because of the father's actions, and the state is not responsible for any such act as there is no law in the state ...