Translating feminist groupwork into action
This paper argues that in recent years, feminist activism in the UK has lost its dynamism. Instead, there has been a shift away from ‘the personal is political’ toward more individualistic solutions to the hardships that women face. This shift can be seen in the growth of therapy and counselling services. It can also be seen in the absence of an organised feminist presence in social work, and among other concerned professionals. Drawing on feminist and groupwork theory (Butler and Wintram, 1991; Cohen and Mullender, 2003) particularly the work of the Stone Center, Boston, USA (Jordan et al, 1991; Miller and Stiver, 1997), the paper describes the work of the author who is involved in running a weekly drop-in group for women who work as street prostitutes in an area of high social deprivation in the UK. Almost all of the women attending this group have a long history of abuse, drug dependence and homelessness. The paper describes the different approaches used to help to create nurturing relationships, and how these relationships help women to rebuild their lives. The paper also describes how this work is politicised and linked to campaigning for resources and the decriminalisation of prostitution. (200)
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Butler, S. and Wintram, C. (1991) Feminist Groupwork. London: Sage.
Cohen, M. B. and Mullender, A. (2003) Gender and Groupwork. London: Routledge
Jordan, J. V., Kaplan, A. G., Miller, J. B, Stiver, I. P. and Surrey, J. L. (eds) (1991) Women's Growth and Connection: Writings from the Stone Center. New York: Guilford Press.
Miller, J. B. and Stiver. I. (1997) The Healing Connection. Boston: Beacon Press.