Journal #1 Powerlessness is a term that goes hand in hand with oppression. It is not uncommon for those who are oppressed in some form to feel powerlessness. Oppression which then leads to powerlessness are both topics I feel are extremely important in the realm of social work. This journal will address and provide a critical analysis of what powerlessness means and looks like according to various sources. Within this analysis, I will discuss my personal experience with powerlessness and how this situation could have been better handled or even prevented. Bishop’s book explores the idea of oppression and how we as social workers view oppression in her book becoming an Ally. She also explores a multitude of different ideas in a very engaging
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I have a 16-year-old brother. As I watch him grow up I am slowly starting to see him grow into the person he is going to be. I try everyday to teach my brother to be a feminist and to treat women with nothing by the upmost respect. I am confident that he practices what I have taught him in his interactions with women. When I decided to tell my parents about my assault, I always considered telling my brother. My parents asked me why I wanted to tell him. I guess, I wanted to him to know how much of a reality sexual assault really is. When I was his age, I did not hear about or know much about sexual assault and I guess I thought by telling him it would show him this can happen to anyone. Maybe by telling him, the next time one of his male friends at school makes a derogatory comment about a women’s body he will stand up and tell his friend that it is not okay. In this way, my brother can become a male ally to me and a male ally to the women in his grade. I remember being in high school and the cat-calling, sexualization of girls starts at such a young age. I know he is only one person, but hopefully one day when I tell him what happened to me he can help stop the cycle before it begins for some of the young men he is friends
I have a 16-year-old brother. As I watch him grow up I am slowly starting to see him grow into the person he is going to be. I try everyday to teach my brother to be a feminist and to treat women with nothing by the upmost respect. I am confident that he practices what I have taught him in his interactions with women. When I decided to tell my parents about my assault, I always considered telling my brother. My parents asked me why I wanted to tell him. I guess, I wanted to him to know how much of a reality sexual assault really is. When I was his age, I did not hear about or know much about sexual assault and I guess I thought by telling him it would show him this can happen to anyone. Maybe by telling him, the next time one of his male friends at school makes a derogatory comment about a women’s body he will stand up and tell his friend that it is not okay. In this way, my brother can become a male ally to me and a male ally to the women in his grade. I remember being in high school and the cat-calling, sexualization of girls starts at such a young age. I know he is only one person, but hopefully one day when I tell him what happened to me he can help stop the cycle before it begins for some of the young men he is friends