Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Exam PrepDiscussing Gender Roles and Empowerment

Which of the following statements BEST defines empowerment?A. The Act of directly representing or defending

others.B. The process of assisting individuals, families,

groups, & communities to experience personal & social change, & develop influence toward improving their circumstances.

C. An ethical principle that recognizes the rights and needs of client’s to be free to make their own choices and decisions.

D. Achieving the full development of one’s potential.

Is “Empowerment” a buzz word? With experience, we begin to

understand that our clients come to us feeling less and less powerful or more out of control with their lives.

Many have been put down or compared to others as unsuccessful or not good enough.

How Can We Help? In our lines of work, we

have opportunity to empower these people by helping them develop the tools and skills that will give them the life they want and need. Helping clients find

validating resources for their feelings.

Assist in helping them learn how to develop positive relationships.

Help them understand and build upon strengths they already have.

Defining Empowerment Social Work Dictionary defines

empowerment as: “The Process of helping individuals,

families, groups, and communities increase their personal, interpersonal, socioeconomic, and political strength and develop influence toward improving their circumstances.”

So what’s the answer? B - The Process of

assisting individuals, families, groups, and communities to experience personal and social change, and develop influence toward improving their circumstances.

Deduction A might have worked if we were talking

about advocacy. But we have found that we don’t defend our clients but rather assist them.

C won’t work because, rather than an ethical principal, empowerment is more viewed as a process of change.

D didn’t incorporate all aspects of empowerment.

Concept of Gender Roles This term gets tricky why? Because it is

widely disputed and criticized by a variety of theorists.

The Concept of “Gender Roles” is BEST defined as:A. And individual’s sexual preference or

orientation.B. The degree to which an individual patterns

oneself after members of the same sex.C. The behaviors and personality

characteristics often attached to an individual because of their sex.

D. The components, influenced by society, or attraction, behavior, and identity which make up an individual.

Why are gender roles so interesting?

So much can define a gender role There are several theories defining what a gender

role might be. Gender roles can also vary with culture

Working with a new client means defining what gender means to that person.

Gender Roles Defined

According to The Social Work Dictionary, gender roles is defined as: “The behaviors and

personality characteristics that are attached, often inaccurately, to people because of their sex.”

The best answer is…

C - This answer provides a comprehensive definition by including both the personality and behaviors exhibited by an individual.

The Deduction

A doesn’t work well because it’s referring to an individuals sexual identity.

B is incorrect because it refers to a person’s gender identity.

D discusses the concept of sexual orientation instead of behaviors and personality.

Sources The Social Work Dictionary (Barker

2003) http://www.therapistdevelopmentcenter.com/

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