Introduction

Abstract

Feminist social work is in the process of formation. Its principles have come from a whole range of activities within the broader women’s movement and are still being refined through further action, discussion and controversy. Its practice emanates from the same source, but is gaining a specific set of characteristics as feminists engage with the task of creating a feminist social work. This pattern of development follows the lines adopted by a host of other feminist initiatives in fields as diverse as publishing, geography, health work, and management. Feminist social work is also informed by feminist analysis of social problems. At the same time, it is beginning to make its own contribution to taking such analysis further, as for example in the conclusion coming out repeatedly from feminist group work that any attempt by women at organising must take care of the emotional burdens accompanying gender subordination if their potential for activism is to be realised (Donnelly, 1986; Curno et al., 1982; McLeod, 1982).