Examining Race Power and Privilege Amy C Wilkerson
- Slides: 6
Examining Race, Power and Privilege Amy C. Wilkerson, LCSW Director of Youth Services
Power as Providers Our power stems from the vulnerability created by the work • The social service field requires the genuine use of self to engage and support clients • The helping profession requires the development of close relationships to work successfully with clients • Research proves that helping relationship with strong trust and rapport yield better results • Professional must maintain healthy boundaries which limits sharing personal information
Power as Adults Power Advantage as an Adult • More Experienced • More Education • Developmental Stage Assumptions Made About Youth • Need adults to solve or help them solve problems • “Bad” or “A Problem Child” • Do not know what’s best for them
Adultism is the belief that adults are better and more valuable to society than youth. It is a form of systemic discrimination. Adultism in action: • Verbal threats towards youth • Punishment • Control or lack of autonomy over youth’s own life
Reducing Power and Privilege • Understand Adultism • Create mechanisms to Incorporating Youth Choice and Voice • Create Youth Leadership Opportunities • Use a Client Centered Approach • Hire Individuals the “get it” ❖Be careful of creating a laissez faire culture
Contact: awilkerson@shelteringarmsny. org Sheltering. Arms. NY. org
