Gender Sensitive Social Work Practice Chapter 13 Enhancing

Gender Sensitive Social Work Practice Chapter 13

Enhancing Gender Sensitivity Sexism Gender-(or Sex-) Role Stereotypes Oppression Sex Discrimination

Work with Women Using the Generalist Intervention Model Engagement Assessment Planning Implementation Evaluation Termination

Feminist Perspectives on Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Practice with Women Are A You a Feminist? Definition of Feminism for Practitioners Principles of Feminist Counseling

Micro Practice with Women: Common Problems Stressful Life Events Lack of Self-Esteem and a Sense of Powerlessness Limited Behavioral and Emotional Options Anger Insufficient Failure Communication Skills to Nurture Self

Empowering Women Enhance Self-Esteem & Self-Confidence Help client explore how she feels about herself Give your client feedback about her responses Women have a tendency to place blame on themselves – have client look realistically on where she is experiencing the guilt Help client understand life has ups and downs – look at her strengths – appreciate the good things

Empowering Women Increase Assertiveness – this involves non-verbal and verbal behavior that is straight-forward but not offensive. Assertiveness takes into account your rights and the rights of others Each of Us Has Certain Assertive Rights Assertiveness Training Passive – non-assertive - main goal is to keep other people happy; denies her rights and needs Aggressive – thinks only of herself; gets her needs met but at the expense of other people Assertive – balances her needs and the needs of other people (p. 509)

Empowering Women Expand Options – various alternatives available Change old rules, expectations (how they view themselves and the world in general) Help Women Work Together for Macro Level Empowerment– advocate for change, change policies, achieve equality (macro practice)

Women as Survivors of Sexual Assault Sexual assault Rape Survivor, not Victim (strengths) Reactions to Rape trauma syndrome The acute phase – fear, self-blame long-term reorganization phase – survivor needs to rebuild trust in herself, her environment and personal relationships

Women as Survivors of Sexual Assault Counseling Survivors of Sexual Assaults Emotional issues Provide survivor with warmth and support; she must feel safe and free to talk – she needs to ventilate Emphasize what she did right – she is alive, safe and hopefully not physically harmed Elicit support from others (professional support and family) – educate family as needed Rebuild trust in herself and her environment around her including her personal relationships Assess her other personal relationships objectively Reporting to the police Medical status of the survivor

Women as Survivors of Sexual Assault Macro Perspectives on Sexual Assault Prevention Programs Legislation Service Provision

Battered Women A Profile of Battered Women Survivors The Abusive Perpetrator Cultural The versus Victims: A Strengths Perspective Influences and Battered Women Battering Cycle

The Battering Cycle This tool has been utilized by advocates as a way to help explain the different tactics that perpetrators use against their partners, in the context of a larger construct of socialization. However, every tool has its limitations without proper discussion. For more information on the evolution of theories of discussing relationship abuse Power and Control Wheel Link

Battered Women Why Does She Stay? Economic Dependence Lack of Self-Confidence Lack of Power Fear of the Abuser Guilt Feeling Isolated with Nowhere to Go Fear for Her Children Love

Battered Women Empowering Battered Women Shelters Crisis for Battered Women Intervention Hotlines Individual Public Legal Counseling and Support Groups Education Advocacy Batterers’ Intervention Programs

Battered Women Empowering Battered Women (cont. ) Counseling Strategies Offer Support Emphasize Strengths Review Alternatives Furnish Information Advocate Interviewing the Battered Woman The Initial Interview Emotional Specific Reactions Counseling Techniques

The Abusive Perpetrator Usually adhere to some type of common masculine gender role stereotypes (failing to display sensitivity or expression of feelings) Important to maintain male dominance Low self-esteem Stress of losing a job, the holidays, poverty depression Many abusers were abused themselves or observed abusive behavior

Battered Women Suggestions for Macro Practice on Behalf of Battered Women Strengthen legislation and service provision for battered clients Continue lobbying for stronger legislation at state and national levels Advocate for establishment of services in your community An International Perspective on Domestic Violence

The Feminization of Poverty Micro and Mezzo Perspectives on Women and Poverty Macro Perspectives on Women and Poverty Reforming Society’s Perspective Improving Conditions in the Workplace Confronting Sexual Harassment

Micro and Mezzo Perspectives on Women and Poverty Five things you can do to enhance your client’s strengths Work to increase your client’s self-confidence Help your client to define and evaluate the realistic opportunities available to her Educate her regarding the resources that are available and help her get involved with them Do outreach to clients yourself Teach and encourage each client to work with the system to her advantage

LO-3 -5 © 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a passwordprotected website for classroom use.

LO-3 -5 © 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a passwordprotected website for classroom use.

Equality in Legislation Antidiscrimination Affirmative Action Comparable worth Legislation