In social work, workplace activism has been overlooked as a source of empowerment for women clients. This article reports on the results of a case study of a predominantly female union engaged in grass-roots organizing and legislative activity to promote comparable worth. An unanticipated finding of the study was the high degree to which personal, interpersonal, and political empowerment took place among the women who were deeply involved in the campaign for comparable worth. Social workers need to be more aware of the potential that workplace organizing and political action offer for the empowerment of their women clients.Social workers have traditionally been concerned with women's roles as wives and mothers. With the recognition that most women also work outside the home, more attention has been paid to the role of work in women's lives, but the emphasis has remained on issues of stress and conflicts between the demands of work and family. Feminist social workers have gone beyond this focus to recognize the workplace as an arena for women to develop their abilities and gain some economic power. They Downloaded from 27 have also acknowledged the societally imposed problems that working women face, such as sex discrimination, job segregation, and pay inequity (Gottlieb, 1987). Some social workers have taken to heart the feminist adage that the personal is political and understand that the economic woes of an individual female client are intimately connected to the position of women in society, as mediated by race, class, and sexual orientation. However, the equation must not stop with an analysis of what is wrong. Social workers also need to be aware that when women clients take action against the injustices in their workplace, this action can result in their personal and political empowerment.This article describes how in one clerical union, organizing for comparable worth resulted in personal, interpersonal, and political empowerment for the women involved in the campaign. As this case study shows, workplace organizing is not only a way to achieve collective power for women workers, but provides an opportunity for developing the political talents of working women.
Social work research, like all research in the social sciences, has been challenged by feminist scholars. Alternative research methods proposed by feminists, however, contain their own inherent dilemmas that need to be addressed. This article summarizes the historical dynamics of feminist research, identifies key issues that pose problems for the development of knowledge, and proposes self-correcting measures for strengthening future feminist research.Feminist scholars have challenged traditional research methods on many grounds. They have argued that much of the information on women that has been gained from these studies is flawed because scholarly inquiries, formulated from a traditional patriarchal perspective, have ignored whole areas of women's lives. They have asserted that studies should improve the condition of women-not just add to social science knowledge. Many feminist researchers propose a qualitative approach to research to derive new concepts that are more reflective of women's lives. They also advocate for the correction of the imbalance in power between researchers and those they study and for a commitment by researchers to the goal of social change.This article demonstrates that aspects of the proposed emphases-particularly the social action stance and the redressing of inequities-present problems for the development of valid knowledge and that an open discussion of these issues is advantageous. The purpose of the article, however, is not to polarize the issues. Neither social action nor the development of knowledge is more valuable than the other; rather, feminist scholars should discuss openly the tensions between the two.
Background Healthcare provision for asylum seekers differs across Germany. Most states use treatment vouchers as proof of eligibility; i.e., asylum seekers must first obtain a voucher from the welfare office to access healthcare. Since 2016 several states have introduced an electronic health insurance card (EHIC) for asylum seekers that enables access to care akin to statutory insurance. The EHIC has reanimated an old debate about asylum seekers’ health benefits. Opponents claim that medical costs will rise if control over healthcare access is eased. Proponents argue that the EHIC reduces costs through the cutback of administrative workloads and improves access to care. Evidence for either position is scarce. Goal The study goal was to assess the 2016 EHIC introduction in Berlin to enable evidence-informed decision-making. Methods We analyzed claims data that were retrieved from the Berlin Senate Administration and ten semi-structured in-depth interviews with key informants. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti software. Ethical clearance was obtained. Results Our study found an overall positive evaluation of the EHIC. Although the introduction implied extra efforts and total administrative workloads remained unaltered, the EHIC was said to have the following advantages as compared to treatment vouchers: 1) It simplifies certain work processes and 2) allows for unprecedented financial transparency and control. 3) It eases access to care with 4) no increase in medical costs. Finally 5) the EHIC signifies equality and integration for asylum seekers. Conclusions In light of our study results the common economic arguments against greater inclusion of asylum seekers into public healthcare systems appear unfounded. On the contrary, the example of the EHIC shows that inclusion can create win-win-situations by improving healthcare access, whilst keeping medical costs constant and advancing financial transparency. Key messages In Germany there is a long-standing debate whether easing access to care for asylum seekers will increase health costs. Our case study shows that, on the contrary, the introduction of an electronic health insurance card for asylum seekers can both improve access and have organizational and economic benefits.
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