Feminism: An Inclusive Perspective

Abstract

A s collaborative guest editors, we Roxie Black Hamlin, Kathryn M. Loukas, are delighted to bring you this Jeanette Froehlich, Nancy MacRae landmark issue. Our profession is 93% to 95% female, compelling an examination of the effect of our demographics on occupational therapy. One method of examination is through a feminist perspective. Occupational therapy and feminism share many concepts: caring, connection, empowerment, nurturing. communication, and relationships. These concepts are reflected in the articles in this issue, which combine the ideologies of occupational therapy and feminism, and are echoed in our relatiOnships and working styles as collaborative guest editors. Feminism DefinedFeminism is a dynamic, evolving ieleology. Although historically it focused on equality for women, feminism has developed into an inclusive model of liberation for all people, with particular attention given to the status of women and the elimination of sexism. The early women's movement focused on the issues of white middle-class and upperclass women. More recentlY, women of color and working-class women have enlightened feminists regarding the influence of race, class, and culture on the status of an individual (Hooks, 1984).Through study and personal reflection, we define this inclusive model of feminism as personal empowerment and social justice for all Both components of this definition are important. Personal empowerment, inspiring people to believe in and act on their capabilities, is at the heart of feminist and occuparional rherapy theory and practice. However, personal empowerment alone is insufficient. Without a broad context that includes striving for enhancement of all life, personal empowerment is empty. The reverse is also problematic Action toward social roles in our society assign men the role justice without the strength of personal of dominam breadwinner and women empowerment is ineffective. the role of passive nurturer. These roles The inclusive vision of feminism suplimit the choices available for bOth men pOrts women and men in becoming and women. Men have been socialized more fully human Hooks (1984) Membership SurveyIn undertaking this issue, we understood that feminism is a concept fraught with controversy. This prompted us to develop a pilot survey to explore real" tions to feminism within the occupational therapy membership. Five surveys were sent to each president of a state occupational therapy association, who was then asked to distribute them to members. Of the 250 surveys mailed, 85 responses were returned. All regions of the country were represented and a male to female ratio of the respondents was 7.3% to 92.7%, similar to that of the national association. The survey asked for an initial reaction to the word(emi· nism, whether the respondents identi· fied themselves as feminists, whether they perceived feminist issues in occu· pational therapy, and for a personal definition of feminism. The initial reaction to the word feminism was negative for 46.2% of the respondents, whereas 27% had a p...

Addressing the gender construct in occupation-based research: A scoping review / Abordaje del constructo género en investigación basada en la ocupación: Un estudio de alcance

“…Se ha identificado un amplio interés por abordar la formación y desarrollo de la disciplina en los Estados Unidos, desde una mirada feminista a partir de los años '90 (Frank, 1992;Hamlin et al, 1992;Loukas, 1992;Miller, 1992;Reese, 1987). Concretamente estas primeras autoras analizan cómo el movimiento feminista impactó en otras disciplinas y cuáles son los paralelismos con la terapia ocupacional, así como su implicancia teórica y práctica con los estudios sobre la ocupación.…”

“…Concretamente estas primeras autoras analizan cómo el movimiento feminista impactó en otras disciplinas y cuáles son los paralelismos con la terapia ocupacional, así como su implicancia teórica y práctica con los estudios sobre la ocupación. Frank (1992), Hamlin et al (1992) y Reese (1987) destacan cómo los fundadores de la disciplina conceptualizaban el trabajo de acuerdo con los roles que las personas tenían en la sociedad. Por ejemplo, las actividades manuales (carpintería, cerámica, trabajo de tejidos, entre otras) y el trabajo directo con personas eran actividades tradicionalmente propias de la mujer, las cuales se asociaban a su rol de cuidadora del hogar y la familia.…”

A Different Voice in Occupational Therapy

“…The influence of Gilligan's work can be seen in Speedy's listing of 'the ethic of care, nurturing, the centrality of the patient or client, the dialectical relationship between carers and cared for, and a healthy questioning of the appropriateness of traditional "scientific' modes of thinking and research'. A similar listing by Hamlin et al (1992) includes caring, connection, empowerment, nurturing, communication and relationships as concepts central to both feminism and occupational therapy.…”

“…Hamlin et al (1992) point out that an inclusive vision of feminism is one that can improve life for women and men, because it challenges the societal oppression and sex-role expectations of both. Those men who have chosen to follow traditionally female careers, such as occupational therapy, can only benefit from feminist influence.…”

Inclusiveness: A Community Dimension of Spirituality

“…Some communities offer an exclusive form of inclusiveness when they define which ideas, personal characteristics, abilities, heritage, culture, and ethnicity may be included (Hamlin, Loukas, Froehlich & MacRae, 1992). Some communities offer an exclusive form of inclusiveness when they define which ideas, personal characteristics, abilities, heritage, culture, and ethnicity may be included (Hamlin, Loukas, Froehlich & MacRae, 1992).…”