Conceptualizations and Experiences of Oppression: Gender Differences

In: Affilia: journal of women and social work, Band 27, Heft 1, S. 38-50

Abstract

Using an exploratory qualitative research design featuring semistructured interviews, the author asked a group of 10 male and female social workers to describe their conceptualizations of and experiences with oppression. This article presents the participants' social locations and identities related to their understandings and experiences of oppression and thoughts about processes of the internalization of oppression. The findings indicate that the male and female participants had different experiences, articulations, and conceptualizations of oppression. In addition, for the most part, they did not explicitly acknowledge positions of privilege and entitlement or articulate how these factors have played out in their clinical and personal relationships.