Social Work Practice with Women

1. Social Work Practice with Women SWK 121: Chapter 16 Morales

2. Patriarchy • Patriarchy is a term used for the social, economic, and political arrangements that emerge from cultural assumptions that give males authority over females and formal power over public policies & practices. • Patriarchy is evident in the privileging of male perspectives and needs throughout society.

3. Current Demographics • In 2000 143.4 million females (51%) of the population of the US • Only 28% of professional & doctorate degrees were received by women in 1996 (35%) of those were in education • Even with advanced degrees women still earned less than men, in general earning about 73 cents for every dollar men earn.

4. Older American Women • In 2000, women accounted for 59% of the population age 65 and older. • Women outlive men due to longevity & the fact that older men tend to remarry women have higher poverty rates than older men. • 12% older women are poor compared with 7% older men in 2000. • Older women spend 22 percent to 53% of their income on out-of-pocket health care expenses.

5. Health & Mental Health Risk Factors • Across the lifespan women’s health differs from men largely due to economic factors. • Cardiovascular disease is the number cause of death & disability for women, with AA having the highest rates. • 80% of lung cancer in women is thought to be due to cigarette smoking, & higher for whites. • 1/4th of Americans living with AIDS in US are women. • Large numbers of women are victims of physical, psychological, & sexual abuse. Violence is primarily partner abuse.

6. Historical Factors • Hx. women were viewed as property of their fathers & husbands in early history in need of male protection. • Until mid 20th century social norms viewed paid work as deviant for married women • Right to vote for women 1920 after 51 yrs. Of advocacy. • Feminists (NOW) organized efforts resulted in antidiscrimination laws in education & employment, changed gender roles, women’s status in public life, work, & family possible.

7. Women’s Legal Rights • 1963 Equal Pay Act required equal pay for women & men holding the same jobs. • 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act, allowed married women to obtain credit in their own names. • 1991 Civil rights Act extends protection to victims of intentional discrimination based on race, sexual harassment, gender inequality.

8. Cultural Factors • Gender System: Organizes society in terms of gender differences & gives males more power, prestige, more resources & privilege. • Women breaking through barriers: Jane Addams 1st US woman Nobel Peace Prize Winner; Sandra Day O’Conner 1st woman on Supreme Court; Sally Ride 1st in space; Wilma Mankiller Chief of Cherokee Nation; Barbara Harris, AA 1st female Bishop

9. Triple Oppression • This concept recognizes the interplay among class, race, gender, place women of color in subordinate social and economic positions relative to men of color & the majority of the white population. • Lesbians are oppressed not only by sexism, but also by heterosexism, that is, the belief that heterosexuality is superior to & more natural than homosexuality. Discrimination, stigmatization, violence, & invisibility continue to affect gays & lesbians lives.

10. Social Workers Awareness • SWk’s need to eliminate gender inequality within the profession as it affects female clients & workers. • SWk’s need to understand gender, race, class, sexual orientation, age, & disability status as interconnected sources of female subordination. • SWk’s must work to eliminate male dominance in clinical practice & schools of social work. • SWk’s must work to eliminate stereotyping & discrimination for all clients & women.