SOCIAL SCIENCES

One Nation Under Stress: The Trouble with Stress as an Idea

by Dana Becker
Oxford Univ. 2013. 256p. notes. index. ISBN 9780199742912. $35. PSYCH
COPY ISBN
Becker (social work, Bryn Mawr Coll.; Through the Looking Glass: Women and Borderline Personality Disorder; The Myth of Empowerment: Women and the Therapeutic Culture in America) discusses how our attempt to define and "fix" the impact of stress on Modern American life increases our ignorance of its societal causes and ultimately impedes progress and the ability to make crucial changes. The author compares therapeutic approaches to women's work-life conflicts with post-traumatic stress disorder within a range of populations to illustrate how stress isn't eliminated with a bubble bath or from taking a pill. One study that found poverty to be the most potent predictor of post-traumatic stress problems following the 9/11 attacks serves as a dramatic example of the need to focus on failing schools, violent neighborhoods, and hunger rather than an individual's methods for reducing stress by, say, practicing yoga or making a to-do list.
VERDICT Useful in creating a fresh point of view for researchers and sociologically inclined readers.
Reviewed by Nadine Dalton Speidel, Cuyahoga Cty. P.L., Parma, OH , Jun 01, 2013
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

NONFICTION

Going into Labour: Childbirth in Capitalism
by Fielder, Anna
NONFICTION

Trans Femme Futures: An Abolitionist Ethic for Transfeminist Worlds
by Raha, Nat & Mijke van der Drift
NONFICTION

The Church of Stop Shopping and Religious Activism: Combatting Consumerism and Climate Change Through Performance
by González, George
NONFICTION

Not My Type: Automating Sexual Racism in Online Dating
by Williams, Apryl
NONFICTION

When We Sold God’s Eye: Diamonds, Murder, and a Clash of Worlds in the Amazon
by Cuadros, Alex
NONFICTION

Blood and Lightning: On Becoming a Tattooer
by Kiskaddon, Dustin
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?