Power and Dominace

This essay leave behind talk on the definition of franchise and potency, the covering and importance of anti-oppressive practice and the theoretical frame get of Thompsons Personal, ethnical and Structural (PCS) models of conquering, Burnhams friendly GRRAACCEESS and Fooks Micro and Macro approaches. It volition excessively cover my face on the article To Address perquisite and Dominance and how it influences my neighborly work practice and a reflection on challenges that might arise in my practice.Bailey (1998109) defines privilege as systematically conferred advantages souls bonks by virtue of their membership in dominant bases with access to resources and institutional office staff that ar beyond the common advantages of marginalised citizens. Tillner (19972) defines dominance as a reverberate of identity practice that constructs a difference which legitimises dominance and grants the agent of dominance the illusion of a superior identity. Anti-oppressive practice is the cornerstone of honorable social work practice.It is truly important and central to learning in social work practice how to challenge the focused abuse of force and mistreatment of others using specific legislation where applicable and to consider the particular disadvantages resulting from a precise social difference. Dominelli (200236) de nones that anti-oppressive practice talkes the whole person and enables the practitioner to partake to his or her clients social context in a way that takes account of the allocative and authoritative that both the practitioner and the client bestow to the relationship.Thus, anti oppressive practice takes on board personal, institutional, ethnic and scotch issues and examines how this impinges on individuals behaviour and opportunities to develop their full potentials as persons living at heart collective entities. Parker (2007) states that anti-discriminatory approaches highlight disadvantage by association experienced by masses w ith whom social histrions practise as the discrimination is directly cogitate to the particular characteristics identified within the legislation.Parker (2007) further explains that anti-oppressive pursue to change systems that upholds the positioning quo at the expense of c argonrs, service users disadvantaged or marginalised people due to their social division and statuses. Thompson (2006) identifies three takes that foundation make us bump extrapolate the ways burdensomeness or discrimination works in society. These atomic number 18 Personal, Cultural and Structural (PCS) models of burdensomeness. The personal or psychological level is implicated with an individuals thoughts, beliefings, views, positionings and actions towards a particular group, person, race, sexuality, sexuality, religion or community.The cultural level centres on shared ways of seeing, thinking and doing (Thompson, 2009). That is cultural levels of interaction within society and shared ways of s eeing, thinking and doing, the analogous values and patterns of thought and behaviour, conformity to social norms and humour as a vehicle for transmitting and reinforcing culture. Culture is also very influential in determining what is regarded as normal in any given circumstance. The geomorphologic level refers to the network of social divisions and force-out relations that are so closely associated with them.It also relates to the way in which oppression and discrimination are sewn in to the fabric of society or institutionalise. It also relates to the level of social forces interlocking patterns of power and influence. Hugman (20091142) notes that Fooks approach shows how working at the micro level can be informed by structural understandings of the causes of social needs. Micro pertains to individual, domestic unit and small groups whilst large relates to community, organisation and policies.It is important to work with macro minded in micro practice as most difficulties fac ed by service users can easily be identified at that level. Burnham (2005) claims that power and privilege relates to an individuals gender, race, religion, age, ability, class, culture, creed, ethnicity, education sexuality and sexual orientation. Hence, social workers need to understand their own identities in order to understand the identity of service users. This ordain facilitate better interaction and hefty engagement. The aspect of the article that stood knocked taboo(p) for me is the privileges or advantages enjoyed by males.If we look back in history of cadence we lead see that muliebrity go through come a very long way fighting for equality. It is obvious that men enjoy certain privileges based on the situation that they are males as compared to their female counterparts. in that location are other informed observations that propose that the male dominance in present day society is a function of culturally-installed patriarchy that not only favours men but also o ppresses women in society. Robinson (2003) claims that patriarchy enthusiasts would betoken that society enjoys most benefit because of male dominance and our respective gender roles.Feminist philosophers and activist are quick to point out the great execrable women reserve experienced over the years and the discrimination they faced all(prenominal) day in present day society. It is a truism that woman have suffered over the years and are still suffering immediately due to some aspects of male privilege and dominance in society. It get out be of great answer to the society if social workers focus on the visible and invisible mechanisms of power, privilege, and influence that males have over females. This entrust be of great help to fight against inequality and other social ills.There are privileges that that come to some people simply because of the fact that they are males. For example, it allow be very difficult for a man be discriminated at his place of work on the groun d of his sex. most females are and have been discriminated against on the ground of their sex. To add to the above, men are paid higher(prenominal) than women doing the same job especially if the employer knows that the man has a family. During recruitment, some employers are very reluctant to recruit female workers as they are concerned that she will need condemnation off for maternity, time to take her nestling to the hospital and other family commitment.Most service users will do what they are asked to do by a male social worker as compared to a female social worker due to the fact that they are male. Most service users especially when it comes to child protection will be much confrontational and verbal with females as compared to males. I have worked with cases that when it came to difficult and confrontational service users, the cases where transferred to male social workers. As soon as the cases were transferred to a male social worker the service users attitude towards the male social worker changed.Another aspect in the article that stood out for me is the privileges enjoyed by heterosexual couples over same sex or braw couple. I have a friends and colleagues who are lesbians and they will remind from time to time that I should understand they are lesbians and it is extremely difficult for them to buss or hold hands in public like heterosexual couples. I have also worked with service users that are gays and lesbians and I have to always remember to use the term partner when I am referring to their boyfriend or girlfriend.They have also explained to me that they do not feel free to communicate with colleagues or people because they feel that they will not be taken serious or they will be comprehend as social misfits. The above mentioned facts about privilege and dominance will certainly influence my social work practice in a positive way. Social work is a profession that provide help and valuable support to people who are facing some forms of oppre ssion and social exclusion and other social ills. It is very essential that social workers empathise with service users as they are in the position of power whilst the service users may sometime feel powerless.It should be recommended that much work be done in order to bridge the gap betwixt male and female. The work should be centred towards extending privilege, power, dominance and influence to women. Men also need to assess themselves in order to address the concerns of open oppression of women. This could also include talks and seminars on issues like domestic violence, workplace disparity and other issues related to gender equality. It will ease talk and understanding when a social worker explains to service users their concerns and what they will do in order to address the concern.Some service users believe that social workers are baby snatchers, community police, a tool for the upper class, a see to it mechanism and in such situations service users can become disgraceful and confrontational. Social workers need to explain the reasons for their visit and what they will do and what they will not do. This will enable service users and other family members to engage with social workers. Worthy of mention is the fact that social workers should be aware of the celestial orbit of privilege and dominance and as they can discuss this with people who enjoy certain privileges as a way forward.For example, always hold communication with men about the privileges enjoyed by them. As a social worker you have to be aware of the challenges that you might face whilst trying to address the issue of privilege and dominance. Advocacy is a means of emancipation and it is a great deal not easy to advocate for certain group of people. It might be very difficult for information to penetrate some communities. Again, some people use religion as a defence for not pass judgment other peoples values, sexuality and religious in society.The fact that social workers need to be polite, speak cautiously and professionally at all times might lead to some service users winning them for granted. It is of immense importance for social workers to reflect on the issue of privilege and dominance as they work with service users who have been marginalised or oppressed. This will serve as emancipatory given the fact that the lack of critical reflection on the privileged flank of social division permits members of dominant group to strengthen their dominance. This will enable social workers to best understand issues revolving somewhat privilege, dominance, power and influence.A good understanding of these issues will pave a good way for social workers to work better with service users and also agitate change when and where it is needed. Reference Bailey, A. (1998) Privilege Expanding on Marilyn Frys oppression, Journal of Social Philosophy. 29, 3 104-119. Dominelli. L. (2002) Anti-Oppressive Social Work Theory and Practice. capital of the United Kingdom Palgrave M acmillan Hugman, R. (2009) But is it Social Work? Some Reflection of Mistaken Identities. British Journal of Social Work, 39, 1139-1153. Parker, J. (2007) Social Work, Disadvantage by Association and Anti-Oppressive Practice. In P.Burke and J. Parker. (eds. ) Social Work and Disadvantage Addressing the Roots of Stigma Through Association, capital of the United Kingdom Jessica Kingsley. Robinson, M (2003) Gender, Power and Privilege. Charles Pfeffer WetWare, Inc. Rochester, NY. Tillner, G. (1997) maleness and Xenophobia The identity of dominance. Paper presented to the UNESCO conference, Masculinity and Male Roles in the Perspective of a Culture of Peace, Oslo, Norway. Thompson, N. (2006) Anti-Discriminatory Practice (2006) quaternate ed, Palgrave, Macmillian. Thompson, N. (2009) Promoting equality, valuing diversity. Lyme Regis Russell House Publishing.