Empowerment theory in social work focuses on uplifting oppressed groups in our society. This theory goes hand in hand with strengths perspective, because strengths perspective views individuals as having the potential and resources to overcome their problems. Instead of categorizing individuals based upon their social status in society, social workers aim to empower those people to break free from the oppressive labels placed upon them. Strengths perspective states that every client has the capacity to change, and it's the social worker's job to facilitate with that change, but ultimately it is in the hands of the client to do so. This is very freeing for those placed in oppressed groups by society, because it is the opposite of victimhood; empowerment theory and strengths perspective both emphasize the client's freedom of choice to go beyond labels and reach internally and externally for the resources within themselves, to not be defined by such labels, and reclaim their power.
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