Anti-Oppressive Practice in Action

Abstract

Oppression individualises people in ways that isolate them and fragment their experience, leaving an individual feeling uncertain, without alternatives or incapable of taking action to change his or her situation. Coming together in groups is a major way of reversing this fragmentation. Realising their power within a group setting engaging in collective action can be a response that empowers an individual and enables him or her to work with others to redefine their state of being and develop a greater range of options within which to live. By coming together to enact power of relations, group dynamics enable people to enlarge the scope of activities within which they can accomplish their objectives. Where appropriate, social workers can assist in the process of mobilising people into collective entities that aim to improve their living environment and well-being as part of the normal process of their work.