“Vividly brings to life the hopes, frustrations, and reality of how the [Supervised Independent Living] program functions for both clients and workers.” — Women’s Review of Books
“A powerful example of feminist ethnography at its best. . . . Among its many strengths are its accessibility, presentation of multiple perspectives, and a strong systemic critique.” — Journal of Women and Social Work
“An intimate and intense account of teenage mothers navigating the complexities and paradoxes of welfare bureaucracy.” — Gender & Society
“Creatively juxtaposes these two positionalities — care provider and care recipient — calling into question the assumed power dynamic of controlling, middle level administrative case managers and passive social service recipient.” — Ethos
“Provides [a glimpse] into the complex and often fragmented world of young mothers involved in the child welfare system. . . . Observations and insights on the conditions of the front lines of this work are unique and invaluable to agency managers and policy makers.” — Social Service Review
“Provides an in-depth ethnographic summary of the challenges encountered by adolescent mothers requiring social assistance. . . . Would be a great addition to courses involving adolescent development, government policies, poverty, or sociological perspectives.” — International Social Science Review
“Illustrates the unrealistic expectations placed on the girls and the numerous jobs and responsibilities placed on the caseworkers that press them to cut corners and break rules.” — Journal of Youth and Adolescence
“Lauren Silver writes about young mothers' experiences navigating child welfare systems with detailed intimacy. Silver’s previous experience as a social services program manager alongside her close and insightful scholarly observations and analysis challenge us to reimagine what our systems can be. I hope her challenges and suggestions will be read widely and taken up by youth policy workers, analysts, and theorists.” — Wanda Pillow, University of Utah
“Beautifully written and meticulously researched, System Kids is an outstanding account of young mothers caught up in the child welfare system. Lauren Silver shows how these mothers' lives crisscross a variety of state arenas — from systems of welfare to health care to education to mental health to criminal justice. In the process, Silver reveals how social power operates through a complex matrix of gender, race, class, and age divisions that deepen the culture of fear surrounding these women. She also exposes how the young women develop complex strategies to negotiate among the different, and often contradictory, demands placed on them by these public institutions. System Kids is a rare achievement: it combines insightful social analysis with innovative policy recommendations, while remaining close to — and thoroughly honest about — young mothers' lived experiences.” — Lynne Haney, New York University
