The Culture of Recovery: Making Sense of the Self-Help Movement in Women's Lives

A study of the recovery movement and its influence on women's lives discusses both its positive effects and its political dangers, arguing that the movement ignores real social problems while owing much of its success to the strategies of second-wave feminism.

In her examination of the self-help phenomenon, Rapping, professor of communications at Adelphi University (Media-tions: Forays into the Culture and Gender Wars), attended numerous recovery meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and its imitators, interviewed female participants and watched hours of TV talk shows where women described experiences of abuse or other severe problems with men. She also analyzed self-help books, which are aimed primarily at women. Although the author disagrees with the recovery movement's emphasis on the individual woman's responsibility for solving her problems, thereby ignoring the role of societal oppression of women as a contributing factor, she argues that, despite this "weakness," feminism is at the core of the recovery movement because women are now at least able to identify their pain. Unfortunately Rapping's commitment to this theory undermines her otherwise interesting critique of the self-help movement.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

'Media critic and columnist Rapping (communications, Adelphi Univ.) brings her thoughtful insight to the topic of the recovery movement and its impact on contemporary life. The author discusses several interesting issues, among them the history of second-wave feminism, the groups involved in the recovery movement, and self-help books. While not preachy or judgmental, the writing is effective and interesting. The author has attended many recovery group meetings, and here she discusses her observations in detail. The topic of television talk shows and their relation to the recovery movement is also covered. This is highly readable social commentary. The book definitely deserves a place on most public library shelves.
Priscilla Davis Dann, Gates Mills P.L., Cleveland
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.