Feminist Theory In Social Work Essay

INTRODUCTION

The roots of feminism and feminist theory can be found in the 17th century” revoluntary bourgeois tradition that had equality of mankind as its highest goal”. Starting point for the emergence of the feminist theory is the work of Mary Wollstonecraft A vindication of the rights of women (1972).in the 21st century- Her conviction that the degree of the emancipation of women is related to the general progress and enlighten of society as a whole. The position of women in society has to be thought of in terms of the society as a whole. In the 20th century Simon de Beauvoir; the second sex looked at the issue with the social allocation of women in the household and passivity .In the 1970’s many books were published which argued that a revolution was

Robbins et al (2012) stated that feminist theory and social work have jointly focus on social economic justice, valuing the worth of all individuals and goals of social change and empowerment .however while social work is primarily concerned with a gender-neutral “person in the environment” perspective, feminist social work examines how women and men as gendered beings operate and are often controlled within a masculine environment.

Susan P. Robbins et al (2012) continued stating that feminist theory enriches social work practice by asking and answering additional questions by recognizing the importance of gender as well as its intersections with race, class, sexual identity and ability in the distribution of economic and social rewards.

Susan P. Robbins et al (2012) also stated that feminist theory incorporates a holistic view of the interrelations between resources, social, intellectual, and spiritual faces of human existence. Central to feminist thought is the idea that it is necessary to critique one’s social context and deconstruct its discriminatory aspects.

RELEVANCE OF FEMINIST THEORY FOR SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IN BOTSWANA AND AFRICAN