Lecture 5.2 Anti-oppressive practice Values in action (Thompson, 2006)

What is discrimination? Identification of a difference Can be positive or negative Unfair discrimination Refers to the process / set of processes through which A difference is identified That difference is used as the basis of unfair treatment Differences become the basis of unfair discrimination, a basis for disadvantaging certain groups of people. This discrimination then becomes the basis of oppression. It is through the process of identifying some people as ‘different’, they receive inhuman or degrading treatment and are thus oppressed.

Definition of Oppression Inhuman or degrading treatment of individuals or groups Hardship and injustice brought about by the dominance of one group over another The negative and demeaning exercise of power Often involves the disregarding the rights on an individual or group and is thus a denial of citizenship Arises as a result of unfair discrimination

The theory base

Social divisions and social structure Draws heavily on sociology and social psychology A society comprises a diverse range of people and is characterised by differentiation – People are categorised according to social divisions such as class and gender. These divisions then form the basis of the social structure which plays an important role in the distribution of power, status and opportunities. People can be ‘located’ within the social structure in terms of the intersection of different social divisions (Berger, 1966)

Major social divisions Class Marx: ownership or control of the means of producing wealth Social work: different levels of economic power E.g. “low class” position is associated with poverty, poor quality housing, poor health and a general lack of opportunity

Gender A matter of social construction rather than biological determination Sex differences: distinct and relatively fixed biological differences between men and women Gender differences: particular social significance to these differences is ascribed and roles are allotted accordingly E.g. “assertiveness” can be seen as strength of character in men but as bossiness in women

Race and ethnicity Race: a socially constructed way of categorising people on the basis of assumed biological differences The notion of race entails Inherent inequalities: Racial categorization involves not only difference but also implies relations of superiority / inferiority Biological legitimation: The biological aspect of this social division is used as a justification for discrimination and inequality

Age Ageism: “unwarranted application of negative stereotypes to older people” (Fennell et al., 1988: 97) Strongly associated with notions of frailty, mental and physical debility and dependency. Ageism: “discrimination against any individual or group on the basis of age” (Thompson, 2006: 25)

Disability A concept which distinguishes a certain proportion of the population from the ‘able-bodies’ majority Not simply a biological / physiological matter but has major social implications The biological level is used as a means of legitimating unequal power relations at the social and political levels. Disablism: the oppression and discrimination implicit in the social division of disability

Multiple oppressions Multiple oppression An integrated approach the interaction of various sources and forms of oppression An integrated approach An individual can and often is affected by different social divisions and different oppressions at the same time E.g. A 50-year-old working class female disabled person

PCS analysis

PCS analysis A conceptual framework on how the problems social workers and their clients face can be located in this wider, structural context. Oppression is apparent and is manifested in the lives of people on 3 different levels Personal Cultural Structural

THE PCS anaysis Personal Cultural Structural

Personal (P) Refers to the personal or psychological; the individual level of thoughts, feelings, attitudes and actions Also refers to practice (interaction between an individual worker with his / her service user) and prejudice (the inflexibility of mind which stands in the way of fair and non-judgemental practice) Our thoughts, feelings and attitudes about particular groups in society will be shaped by our experiences at a personal level.

Cultural (C) Refers to the cultural level of shared ways of seeing, thinking and doing Relates to the commonalities -- values, patterns of thoughts and behaviour, an assumed consensus about what is right and normal Produces conformity to social norms A complex web of taken-for-granted assumptions or ‘unwritten rules’ Culture: very influential in determining what is perceived as ‘normal’ in any given set of circumstances

Structural (S) Refers to the structural level, the network of social divisions and associated power relations Also refers to the ways in which oppression and discrimination are institutionalised or thus ‘sewn in’ to the fabric of society Denotes the wider level of social forces, the socio-political dimension of interlocking patterns of power and influence

PERSONAL CULTURAL STRUCTURAL All 3 aspects act upon each other

Uses of PCS analysis PCS shows the different levels at which discrimination operates and how these levels reinforce each other Individuals need to move beyond the personal level by involving themselves playing their part in collectively challenging the dominant discriminatory culture and ideology and playing a part in the undermining the structures which support, and are supported by, that culture.

PCS shows the inadequacy of explanations of oppression which stop at the individual level E.g. Racism: If we accept that we live in a racist society, then it is not surprising that racist beliefs and practices will have been learned and ‘taken on board’ as parts of our personalities Anti-discrimatory practice: actively seeking to eliminate racist thoughts and actions from our day-to- day dealings PCS is used as a basis of critically reflective practice

Anti-oppressive practice AOP is premised on social work values Promoting social justice and human rights requires action. This means putting those values into practice. Putting social work values into practice requires reflection and action regarding your own values

Anti-discriminatory practice ADP ‘seeks to reduce, undermine, or eliminate discrimination and oppression, specifically in terms of challenging sexism, racism, ageism and disablism and other forms of discrimination or oppression encountered in practice’ (Thompson, 2006: 40) ADP is an attempt to eradicate oppression and discrimination from our own practice and challenge them in the practice of others and the institutional structures in which we operate

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