Empowerment in Social Work Practice with Older Women

Abstract

Literature describing the interface of ageism and sexism on older women, the majority of the nation's elderly population, has resulted in the knowledge that they are a population at risk. Empowerment is a social work process and intervention that has been recommended for work with oppressed populations and with women. An analysis of traditional, feminist, and social work conceptualizations of empowerment, however, identifies issues that are problematic for social workers. This article suggests reasons for broadening the definition and concept of empowerment to allow social welfare professionals to better speak to the multiple needs of women in their later years.