Paper Summary:

The paper first looks at the historical framework of the notion of empowerment as a facilitator of change. The paper then explores the hierarchy of empowerment, that includes the levels of individual empowerment, advocacy, psychological empowerment, political empowerment and socio-political empowerment. The paper concludes with a summary of the main points derived from this study.

Outline:
Historical Framework
Conceptual Framework
Summary

From the Paper:

"Recent history has borne witness to one of the most interesting paradigm shifts within the fields of community, occupational and educational psychology. Within the past decade and a half we have seen a shift from a deficit-based model of social change to a strength-based one. At the heart of this strength-based model is the notion of individual empowerment first and foremost and subsequent collective empowerment. This empowerment is rooted in the current empowerment theory and its relationship with social change as well as new social movement theories. Rappaport (2002) defines empowerment as a process or mechanism whereby individuals, organizations and communities gain mastery over their lives. Taken in its historical context, empowerment theory and its practical application focuses on individual enlightenment which then facilitates collective empowerment, action and social change (Fairholm, 2004)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Almeleh, N., Soifer, S., Gottlieb, N., Gutierrez, L. (1993). Women's achievement of empowerment through activism in the workplace. Journal of Women & Social Work, 8(1), 26-39.
• Jepson, W. (2005). Spaces of Labor Activism, Mexican-American Women and the Farm Worker Movement in South Texas Since 1966. Antipode, 37(4), 679-702.
• Becker, J., Kovach, A. C. & Gronseth, D. L. (2004). Individual empowerment: How community health workers operationalize self-determination, self-sufficiency, and decision-making abilities of low-income mothers. Journal of Community Psychology, 32(3), 327-342.
• Fairholm, M.R. (2004). Different Perspectives on the Practice of Leadership. Public Administration Review, 64(5), 577-590.
• Hill, S. & Richie, R. (2002). New means for political empowerment in the Asian Pacific American community. National Civic Review, 91(4), 335-350.

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