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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. The theory base

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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

12. PCS analysis

13. 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

14. THE PCS anaysis
Personal
Cultural
Structural

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. PERSONAL
CULTURAL
STRUCTURAL
All 3 aspects act upon each other

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. THE END