The focus of this article is on illustrating how the differences between the paternalistic and empowerment approaches embedded within social work have unnecessarily evolved into competing approaches to practice. Tracing the historical evolution of both paternalistic and empowerment approaches, the article posits that social work is more amenable…

This article provides an overview of restorative justice as a process and examines its relevance to women who have been victimized by physical and sexual abuse. The starting point is the justice system with its roots in adversarial, offender-oriented practices of obtaining justice. The widespread dissatisfaction by battered women and rape victims…

This article reviews the literature on the concept of empathy in the social work profession from the days of Mary Richmond to its use in traditional literature today. Empathy is reexamined in light of recent developments in feminist scholarship, in particular the relational-cultural theory developed at the Stone Center at Wellesley College. Moving…

This article analyzes the women's role in society and the problems that stem from the oppressive division of sex roles. Insight into sociopolitical roots of these problems is presented and existence of inborn causes is denied. Implications for psychotherapy are discussed, emphasizing the therapist's values and attitudes toward female patients.…

Discusses contributions and difficulties that postmodern feminist thought has to offer for reconceptualization of social work theories and practice. Provides overview of status of feminist theory within social work literature and describes roots and explains concerns of postmodern feminism. Discusses relevance, implications, and challenges of…

Explores retirement and women, many of whom are economically insecure when they retire. Argues that, because of prevailing myth among women that they will be cared for in old age and fear of aging, women often do not aggressively plan for retirement. Contends that women's movement should begin to advocate for women's preparation for realities of…

Examines problems inherent in social worker's self-conscious commitment to care. Discusses feminine view of ethics and female social workers. Notes that feminist scholarship has recently given considerable attention to moral development of women based on relational model of care. Examines arena of caring, traditionally considered women's domain,…

Presents an overview of feminist philosophy and examines values and perspectives feminism and social work share. Argues for a greater integration of feminist theory into social work practice at all levels and gives examples of the implications of feminist perspectives for social work. (Author/ABB)

Traces evolution of codependency construct. Examines codependency from perspective of researchers who have found little empirical support for constellation of characteristics used to define term and from perspective of feminist analysis. Analyzes assumptions about health and relationships embedded in concept of codependency and contends that…

Provides feminist analysis of Germain and Gitterman's life model of practice, revealing that the life model fails to address the problematic nature of the concept of goodness-of-fit, particularly in relation to practice with women. The life model is an example of a paradigm that does not clarify the societal problems sufficiently. (Author/ABL)

Describes Gilligan's work which has been used uncritically to resolve gender-based rifts and ethical problems. Critiques Gilligan's psychological vision of gender and "male" and "female" normative ethics as an example of a theory that may contribute to the justification, rather than to the transformation, of professional and…

Discusses barriers to abortion in terms of funding and access and examines available literature on how abortion affects pregnant woman and how being denied abortion affects mother and child. Describes other threats to reproductive freedom currently wending their way through state legislatures or being applied by courts: states' responses to…

Reviews the contents of eight journals from 1970 to 1981 to evaluate the coverage of women's issues during the "second wave" of feminism. A slight increase in the profession's attention to women's issues was evident in the 1970s. Urges continued practice, research and writing by and for women. (JAC)

Is male supremacy deeply embedded in attitudes of the male psychotherapist? The author analyzes the traditional view of overcoming sexual stereotyping. (Author)

Uses feminist theory to analyze why social policies perpetuate traditional assumptions about mothers and do not provide adequate help for children. Suggests tensions between policies for women and children will continue until policymakers view the welfare of children as a concern of the entire society. (Author)