FEMINIST SOCIAL WORK ORIENTATION AMONG SOCIAL WORKERS IN SINGAPORE
VADIVU GOVINDAR RASU
VADIVU GOVINDAR RASU
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Abstract
This exploratory study aimed to explore social workers' perceptions of
practice with female clients from a feminist stance, understand whether and
how Asian cultural norms impact on their perceptions of practice with female
clients within the local context and explore whether the graduate social
workers had received more sexist or feminist social work education.
A literature review indicated that sexism exists in social work and
atTects both social workers and women clients. Components of feminist social
work were critiqued and synthesised. The local context in which the study is
situated was outlined. Studies with similar aims were also critiqued to show the
rationale for the present study.
The casework process was used to structure the semi-structured
interview with nine social workers.
The study concluded that local social workers may be feminist, nonfeminist
or sexist depending on the issue. Ethnic minority workers were found
to be more feminist in orientation overall. Asian values were found to have a
profound effect on casework practice with women clients. Some workers
accepted these as parameters within which to work, others fought it and one
worker brought up an interesting point about reclaiming the gender sensitive
elements in Asian culture. Most of the social workers were found to have
undergone more traditional gender-based education.
The study concluded with major implications that this study has for the
social work curriculum and for social work practice in the field. As an
exploration study it also opened up more vistas for future research.
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Date
1996
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