Social work with families at social risk promoting gender equality

J Pivoriene,R Bardauskiene,A Vetra,L Vilka

doi:10.1051/shsconf/20163000024

Abstract

The article is based on the research whose aim is to find out the attitudes of social workers toward gender equality. The qualitative research was carried out in 2014 in order to find out social workers' attitudes to gender equality in families and families at social risk, as well as obstacles and possibilities for implementation of gender equality in families at social risk. Eight social workers working with families at social risk were interviewed using semi-structured interview and content analysis for research data analysis. The research data reveals that gender equality in the family can be reached by mutual agreement, when the division of duties and responsibilities is in accordance with needs and abilities of family members. Good family relations are emphasized as a prerequisite for gender equality. Families at social risk with unbalanced social functioning and relationships are affected by stereotyped thinking about gender roles. As informants point out, this makes gender equality impossible in families at social risk. Social workers reveal that they do not directly relate the gender dimension with social work practice, and as a result it becomes problematic to promote gender equality in families at social risk. The main obstacles for implementation of gender equality are clients' resistance to change, too much responsibilities put on women-mother by social workers and other institutions that deal with social risk families, lack of information on gender equality and tools for promoting gender equality in the family. However, the informants provide solutions for promotion of gender equality in micro, mezzo and macro practice that correspond to the guidelines presented in the documents and strategies on gender equality at national and EU level.

Highlights

Gender equality means equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women and men
Are social workers empowered as professionals to put their efforts to gender mainstreaming? Do social workers recognise their duty to promote gender equality in the family? Do they set such a goal in social work practice? Do social workers have enough knowledge, tools and willingness to put their efforts to gender mainstreaming? If we look at the latest Global definition of social work approved by the International Federation of Social Workers in 20141 we cannot find principle of gender equality mentioned there
Summarising the viewpoint of social workers about gender equality in families at social risk, it is important to notice that gender equality in the family can be reached by mutual agreement, when the division of duties and responsibilities is in accordance with needs and abilities

Summary

Introduction

Gender equality means equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women and men. The division of responsibilities in the family, the approach to what is masculine and feminine determine different opportunities for women and men to participate in society, to achieve their objectives, to realize skills and ambitions, and exercise their existing rights. It conditions gender conflicts in public and private lives, deepens social exclusion and creates a background for discrimination. Gudliauskaite-Godvade (2011) see social workers as having the potential to promote positive changes achieving gender equality in the social services sector, improving the status of women in public and private life, reducing genderstereotyped attitudes to gender roles and ensuring fairness for women and men. The quotation of informants in the article is presented precisely, without distortion and interpretations

Gender equality in the family and family at social risk

Problems of promoting gender equality in families at social risk

Conclusions