The contribution of the feminist approach to the theory and practice of social work

Povezanost feminističkog pristupa s teorijom i praksom socijalnog rada može se pronaći još od začetaka profesije koja se zalaže za borbu protiv društvenih nepravdi te zaštitu ljudskih prava i sloboda. Orijentiran je k stvaranju društvenih odnosa koji su ravnopravniji i pružaju mogućnosti onima koji su najugroženiji da iskoriste postojeće resurse kako bi unaprijedili svoj položaj. Cilj ovog rada je analizirati doprinos feminističkog pristupa u socijalnom radu, naglašavajući da se feminizam kao društveno-politička opcija ne tiče isključivo žena. Uvažavanje ženske perspektive temelji se na promišljanju rodnih uloga i osvješćivanja ugnjetavajućih društvenih struktura koje stoje iza osobnih problema svih subordiniranih pojedinaca i grupa potiskujući ih u privatnu stvarnost. Također, stvara senzibilizaciju za različite karakteristike korisnika s obzirom na spol, dob, rasu, klasu, etnicitet, invaliditet, seksualnu orijentaciju, ali i za individualne razlike koje postoje među njima. U ovom radu su prikazane osnovne postavke feminističkog pristupa i socijalnog rada, njihov usporedni povijesni razvoj, ali i osnovni koncepti osnaživanja, socijalnog konstruktivizma i multikulturalizma koji su važni za razumijevanje utjecaja feminističke misli unutar djelatnosti socijalnog rada. Posebna je pozornost posvećena istraživanju problema nasilja nad ženama u obitelji i u partnerskom odnosu i ograničenim dosezima u njegovu suzbijanju.The connection between the feminist approach with the social work theory and practice can be found since the inception of the profession that is committed to the fight against social injustice and protection of human rights and freedoms. It is oriented towards the creation of social relations that are equitable and provides opportunities to those who are most vulnerable to exploit existing resources in order to enhance their position. The aim of this paper is to analyze the contribution of the feminist approach in social work, pointing out that feminism as a socio-political option does not concern only women. Respect for women's perspective is based on the consideration of gender roles and awareness of the oppressive social structures that stands behind personal problems of subordinated individuals and groups suppressing them in the private reality. It also creates a sensitivity to client’s various features in terms of gender, age, race, class, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, but also to individual differences that exist between them. This paper presents the fundamental provisions of the feminist approach and social work, their comparative historical development, as well as basic concepts of empowerment, social constructivism and multiculturalism that are important for understanding the impact of feminist thought within social work activities. Special attention is given to the research of the problem of violence against women in the family and in partnership and limited achievements in its suppression