Community psychology and feminism: Tensions and commonalities

Abstract

Commonalities between recent feminist thinking and community psychology are described in order to argue that a feminist agenda can and should be more fully incorporated into the discipline of community psychology. The two domains share a historical context and significant theoretical assumptions — e.g., the importance of empowerment for social change. Generally accepted goals and methods from each domain and examples of research, theory, and practice are presented for purposes of documentation and illustration. This article also addresses the critical question, Why hasn't community psychology incorporated a feminist agenda more fully into research, theory, and practice, given its compatibility with feminism? Finally, a discussion of how a feminist agenda would strengthen community psychology and strategies for accomplishing such an agenda are presented. Areas of concern include classroom dynamics, field placement opportunities, the psychological consequences of sexist language, the complex interactional effects of multiple oppressions (e.g., racism, sexism, and ageism), homophobia as a community problem, violence against women, and the feminization of poverty.