Focus on Prevention*

What we are discussing is the notion of prevention as directed toward families. The idea is to prevent the break-up of families in our community which is costly both in economic and social terms … but, as I hope to demonstrate, there is more to it than that.

Let me also say that the notion of prevention, both in theoretical and conceptual terms as well as in applied, practical terms is nothing new, it has been around for a long time. At the turn of the last century it became a popular theme with the advocates for an expanded role for local government in the U.K.; the work of Sydney and Beatrice Webb, in particular, made a substantial and important contribution there.