| Abstrakt: |
The article examines 'self-in-relation' theory which posits that women develop and are empowered through mutually emphatic relationships. As a theory of women's development that is based on the study of women and their experiences, self-in-relation theory holds promise of providing a more valid, albeit partial, human-behavior knowledge base for direct service practice with women and men than is currently provided by other theories. The propositions of self-in-relation theory have not yet been substantiated by empirical research, although its theorists support their hypotheses with research findings on infant development and on the psychological differences of women and men. Psychologically, these theories have been used to characterize women's greater need and capacity for empathic relationships negatively as passivity, dependence, codependence, masochism, and so forth. Socially, women's desire and ability to nurture, care for, and foster the development of others have been both negatively valued and taken advantage of. Women have been expected and forced to care for others far better than they care for themselves or are cared for in relationships that lack mutual empathy. Using self-determination both as a core social work value and a principle of practice that addresses the power and empowerment of clients, the authors suggest a redefinition of self-determination from the perspective of self-in-relation theory that takes better account of women's development and experience of themselves and others in the world. |
