FEMINIST SOCIAL WORK ORIENTATION AMONG SOCIAL WORKERS IN SINGAPORE

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.