The authors, doc. PhDr. Andrej Mátel, PhD., associate professor and Mgr. Magdaléna Halásová, PhD., submitted for review the 2nd revised and updated edition of the professional publication Social pathology and prevention of selected socio-pathological phenomena (2015), which is devoted to social pathology and the prevention of selected socially pathological phenomena. The very title of the work implies that, in order for the authors to meet the expectations placed on the chosen topic, which is to complement existing published books and other professional documents in this field, they will have to engage with different approaches to the issue. The reviewed university textbook differs from them particularly through the authors’ approach, as they have been dealing with these questions of social failure for many years and view it in a multidisciplinary and at the same time comprehensive way, with the possibility of applying the acquired knowledge to teaching the needs of qualified social workers in higher-education institutions. On the basis of the submitted text, students can become thoroughly familiar with basic theoretical foundations and concepts of deviance, theories of their emergence, as well as with individual socially pathological phenomena that, in consequence, endanger individuals, groups, families, communities and society as a whole.
The creators carefully set as the aim of this university textbook not only a description of the basics, but also the presentation of preventive strategies and social work activities that help to prevent the emergence of selected social phenomena (domestic violence, human trafficking, homelessness). They recognize the need to understand the value of human life for modern society and the need to protect it on the basis of qualified and well-prepared social workers capable of providing and covering the necessary social care, grounded in theoretical but also practical competencies derived also from direct work with the target group. This clearly defined goal, which entails describing and examining the practical impact of the problem, is supplemented by appropriately cited literary references by the authors.
This is a topic that is urgent in contemporary society. Its relevance is reinforced by the treatment of topics in which earlier professional production has significantly lagged, entering the socio-economic area among disadvantaged subcultures of the present era (Development of financial literacy as a tool of universal prevention of homelessness; Social counselling and financial counselling). On the basis of these facts, it can be concluded that the presented work contributes to coping with this topic with regard to modern methods of social work. In this respect, this university textbook is original in both the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. The contribution is based on a thorough study of existing knowledge collected in professional literature, through references to legal provisions, legal and moral standards, and their detailed presentation. Also noteworthy are the conclusions and recommendations for practice presented, where results of reflective analyses of current practice confirmed the validity of more recent theoretical approaches and their consequences according to the mode of application in society, derived from the essence of humane civilization and practical social work.
The submitted professional publication has 140 pages, of which the bibliography of used literature counts 10 items. The work is divided into 6 chapters, a conclusion, a bibliography, and name and subject indexes. The reviewed work has a theoretical-analytical character; its language is scholarly and its style is appropriate. The formal presentation has no major shortcomings; the value of the professional content and the professional approach to solving the given topic are at a high level.
The social and scientific significance of the investigated topic is based on orientation and reflection in the field of social work, which has become one of the most dynamically developing disciplines and professions over the last hundred years. It is understood as an applied science discipline and professional activity of social workers, who with their deliberate and direct intervention help and support individuals and social systems, their functioning, and create favorable social conditions for achieving this goal in the entire postmodern society.
The reviewed work is monographic. The theoretical analysis of the investigated topic: related terms are defined in a suitable manner. It is written in terminology belonging to social work. A highlight is the choice of chapters in the publication: Domáce násilie a jeho prevencia; Obchodovanie s ľuďmi, prevencia a pomoc obetiam; Bezdomovectvo, jeho prevencia a eliminácia. In this respect, the submitted work is unique.
The professional publication by Andrej Mátel and Magdaléna Halásová as a whole is undoubtedly the contribution of erudite and mature authors with strong analytical abilities, allowing one to penetrate beneath the surface of the issues addressed, which are deepened by their long-standing professional interest and work in this area. The timeliness of the submitted paper, the authors’ insight and inventiveness lead the reviewer to a conclusion recommending the publication to readers.
Author: doc. RNDr. Jaroslava Pavelková, CSc.
Fakulta sociálnych vied UCM v Trnave