Incorporating Feminist Theory into Social Work Practice: Group Work Examples

Abstract

Feminist theories explain the structure and dynamics of women's experiences within sociopolitical and interpersonal sexual hierarchies. To enhance flexibility and responsiveness in applying the theories, social workers should be conversant in various branches of feminism. This paper reviews five branches of feminist theory and applies each one to social work practice, using group work examples.The practice examples are drawn from the author's study of women's groups in which facilitators described the goals and processes used to practice feminism or womanism in their groups. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: <getinfo@haworthpressinc.com> Website: <http://www.HaworthPress. com>]

Therapeutic Components and Differential Treatment Outcomes Among Clients of Israeli Services for Substance Abusers

“…Violence against women is much more prevalent among the Arab than the Jewish population (Eisikovitz, Winstok, & Fishman, 2004) due to the conservative, patriarchal values dominant among the Arab society in Israel (Haj-Yahia, 2003). Even though Arab clients participating in this study are treated by Arab social workers, these social workers studied in Israeli universities and were exposed to feminist ideology emphasizing gender equality and empowerment of women (Saulnier, 2000;Spiro, 2001;Weiss, Spiro, Sherer, & Korin-Langer, 2004). Thus, the social workers may change their clients' perception and behavior, especially here, where the two cultures clash.…”

Working the second shift, settling in Canada and other struggles; narratives of working African-immigrant mothers in Toronto.

“…These mainstream feminists have focused on a universal sense of sisterhood and have failed to take into account the diversity of needs and realties of non-white women (Rina 2012). Although other feminist of color as well as white feminist have written about black feminism, some scholars maintain that it is a unique perspective that can only come from a dynamic interaction between black women and the multiple systems of oppression against which they have struggled (Saulnier, 2000). Wane (2004) and Wane and Massaquoi (2007).…”

“…Black feminist theory will therefore be fitting to explore these intersectionalties between race, gender, and economic class. Further, Black feminist theory is unique in that it starts out with the perspective of Black women rather than white men (as many feminist theories do) and centers its analysis on the complex matrix of oppression that black women face (Saulnier, 2000).…”

Public Administration in Ethiopia

“…Feminist theories primarily focus on exploring the role of expectations, status, power relations, and subordination of women due to social, political, and economic structures (Turner & Maschi, 2015;Hayes & Franklin, 2017). The most common feminists theories are Liberal Feminism, Radical Feminism, Marxist and Socialist Feminism, Black Feminism, and Post-structural Feminism (Saulnier, 2000).…”