Asylums

One of most influential social scientist of the twentieth century examines the meaning of the asylum

'Psychiatric staff share with policemen the peculiar occupational task of hectoring and moralizing adults'

This groundbreaking work of social science explores life in 'total institutions': the closed, regimented systems of prisons, boarding schools, nursing homes and, most importantly, mental hospitals, which cut individuals off from society. Focusing on the relationship betwee ...