Foreword
It is difficult to identify any distinctive theme by which to characterise this seventh issue of the Social Policy Journal. Perhaps the apposite note is surrounded by Deborah Jones in her contribution on Equal Employment Opportunities programmes seen through the prism of post-modern theory. Viewing the contents from this perspective would suggest that, rather than searching for any "grand narrative" into which to fit out various contributors, it would be more fitting to celebrate the range, the diversity, the multiple hues and the variegated textures of this issue. Indeed it covers a broad expanse of themes, a multiplicity of communities and a plurality of points of view. The journal is proving to be a broad church, inclusive of many voices.
The social policy papers encompass a range of perspectives, from those which take a broad overview and deal with large themes to those which make a closer enquiry into issues relating to particular communities. Brian Easton's paper falls into the former category, posing the question how has the welfare state fared in the post-war years and what might be its future. Jonathan Boston and his colleagues also tackle a large issue in giving consideration to the value of a social responsibility law in New Zealand. This paper develops an idea foreshadowed by Boston in an earlier contribution to Issue Three of this journal on the implications of MMP for social policy in New Zealand.
Among the papers with a more specific focus, Clive Aspin discusses the development of a sense of gay community in the 1970s and how this has shaped responses to AIDS. Kirk MacGibbon provides background to the recent media campaign "Welcome to Your Retirement" and examines its effectiveness. Among the policy development papers, Alison Robins considers whether current policy might be sending inappropriate signals to young people as they face choices about further education and what options might exist for remedying this. John Markland provides an overview of recent developments in the gaming industry, discussing its economic and social impacts and looking forward to possible future developments. Christine Watson examines some options for ensuring better treatment for sexually abused women who also have a mental health disorder. And Leonie Pihama lays down a challenge to education policy, in a paper which questions the fundamental principles on which the Parents as First Teachers programme is founded. The Early Childhood Development Unit, which is responsible for administering the Parents as First Teachers Programme has been given right of reply.
The research papers also cover a wide terrain. Kim Johnstone and Ian Pool continue a theme of past issues with a further contribution on trends in family incomes over the past decade, anchoring this in an analysis of changing labour force participation among families of different type. Judith Davey visits the issue of equity-release schemes as an option for older people to mobilise capital tied up in mortgage-free homes and thereby improve their income position. Linda Hill and Liz Stewart examine how the Sale of Liquor Act has been working since its inception in 1989, from the perspective of local communities. Mike Rochford and Bryony Walker examine the extent to which children of beneficiaries might be over-represented among children who are subject to care and protection or youth justice notifications. And Charles Waldegrave, Shane Stuart and Robert Stephens give an updated account of the focus group work which formed the basis of the Poverty Measurement Project reported in Issue Five of this journal.
The issue is rounded off with a number of reviews. Heather Worth discusses the ninth international conference on AIDS, which focused on the results of specific research and intervention projects. The conference was preceded by a community forum in which a set of principles were developed to guide community-based research and prevention projects. The other reviews concern recently published books on topics of significance for social policy. Des O'Dea reviews George Barker's book on income distribution deriving from his work at the Institute of Policy Studies which is aimed at achieving a more dynamic perspective on this topic. Don Gray comments on the book by Winston Bates on the links between economic growth and social cohesion, which was published by the Business Round Table. Robyn Fleming discusses Anne Else's book False Economy on the tensions facing women in managing the competing demands of paid and unpaid work. Anne Reeves reviews David Thompson's updated version of Selfish Generations which created substantial interest on its first appearance. And finally, Christine Cheyne discusses the book by Michael Peters and James Marshall on education and social policy in the post-modern condition.
Which seems to have brought us back full circle. This is an appropriate place for me to close, but before signing off I would like to issue an invitation to you, the readership. If anything published here strikes a chord, raises a question or opens a new perspective, remember that the journal provides an opportunity to join the debate. Contributions are all welcome, be they short or long, general or particular, theoretical or empirical, so long as they concern themselves with issues related to social policy. It is my view that the wider the range of voices heard, the more likely the journal will be to reflect our society and the firmer will be the foundations on which social policies are built.
David A. Preston
General Manager
Social Policy Agency
