1. Power exists in all social groups and relationships, with some individuals and groups having more authority and influence than others. Those with power are able to accumulate valued resources like wealth and property, which in turn generates more power. 2. Certain social groups and individuals experience more privileges in society. Those without privilege may be devalued, seen as a menace, object of ridicule, burden, or subhuman. 3. Empowerment can occur on personal, community, and structural levels. On a personal level, empowerment involves gaining control over one's life and developing confidence. On a structural level, it requires eradicating inequalities through collective political action and social change

1. Empowerment Pup 2171 Linda Moss

2. Power Power is an ever-present phenomenon in social life In all human groups some individuals have more authority or influence than others Groups themselves vary in levels of power Power and inequality tend to be closely related The powerful are able to accumulate valued resources such as property or wealth Possession of such resources is in turn a means of generating power (Giddens 1993 in Thompson 1998)

3. Privilege Do certain social groups or individuals have more privileges? What are these groups or who are the individuals? What are the privileges? How does privilege relate to discrimination?

4. People who are not privileged are devalued Menace Object of ridicule Burden Sick Eternal child Subhuman creature

5. 4 Levels of Power National and World Community Organisational Individual The way power is used is important not that it exists

6. Oppression Unjust humanly imposed restrictions on people’s freedom (Jaggar 1983 in Nzira and Williams 2009) Exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, harsh or wrongful manner; unjust or cruel treatment of subjects, inferiors etc; the imposition of unreasonable or unjust burdens (Oxford Dictionary)

7. Empowerment on three levels Personal; Individuals can be helped to Gain control over their lives in a variety of ways Through enhancement of confidence and self-esteem

8. Judith Snow 2007 The community is denied the talents, gifts, contributions and opportunities of all the people who are excluded. The answer is simple; see me as gifted, not as disabled. Throw away the concept of disability. Welcome the concept of giftedness.

9. Cultural Discriminatory assumptions and stereotypes can be challenged in an attempt to break down an Oppressive culture in which Values and interests of dominant groups are presented as normal and natural Empowerment is therefore concerned with consciousness raising – becoming aware of ideologies premised on inequality

10. Structual Power relations are rooted in the structure of society so Empowerment at this level must involve Eradication in the long-term of structured inequalities This involves a collective political response A concerted programme of action for social change Thompson 1998

11. Personal empowerment and structural change Low level of empowerment = Structures continue unchanged High level of empowerment = The potential for structural change is increased

12. Empowerment Gaining more control over own life Being aware of and using personal resources Overcoming obstacles to meeting needs and aspirations Having your voice heard in decision making Being able to challenge inequality and oppression in your life (Kirton and Virdee 1992 cited Dalrymple and Burke 2003)

13. To Empower One has to be able to hold on to and defend one’s value perspective Have some critical awareness of the interaction between individuals It is about not making assumptions and asking the question why Critical analysis is the forerunner to empowerment

14. In Human services The actions of human service workers can help people to become more powerful (empowerment) Or can reinforce their sense of powerlessness (disempowerment) It is for this reason that an understanding of power issues is necessary In order to increase the likelihood of A POSITIVE EMPOWERING OUTCOME

15. References Thompson N., 1998, Promoting Equality, Challenging discrimination and oppression in the human services, Hampshire, Palgrave Dalrymple J., Burke B.,2003, Anti-Oppressive Practice, social care and the law, Maidenhead, Open University Press

16. References Nzira V., Williams p., 2009, Anti-Oppressive Practice in Health and social Care London, Sage Publications