Feminism Lives On: Incorporating Contemporary Feminism Into Counseling Practice With Families and Youth

Abstract

Feminist contributions to counseling practice with families and children are reviewed, with a focus on the Third Wave feminist movement and its implications for family development and intervention. Recommendations for empowering young clients and their support systems as well as current challenges and research needs are also considered.   a variety of contemporary statistics highlight the need for advocacy efforts related to girls and women. First, there are important economic issues affecting women. The large majority of those living in poverty worldwide continue to be women and children (Women Thrive Worldwide, 2008). currently, the single largest poverty group in the united States, after children, is women over the age of 60 years (u.S. census Bureau, 2005). Economic concerns often translate into power issues in society. Women face obstacles that contribute to an imbalance in their representation in the workforce, thereby influencing the overall economic picture for women. For example, recent data indicate that only 10 women head Fortune 500 companies (Fortune, 2006). Similarly, only 5% of women are promoted to the position of full partner in law firms, and fewer than 30% of top master of business administration program students are women (di meglio, 2004). in terms of political leverage, only 14% of the u.S. Senate and 17% of the House of Representatives are made up of women. although these are recordbreaking percentages and speak to the efficacy of feminist works to date, there is still much progress to be made. Some might suggest that girls and women are simply making personal career choices that put them at an economic disadvantage. as we note in a review of the literature, feminists weigh the importance of socialization in such decision-making processes.