THE LIMITS OF EMPOWERMENT IN HUMAN SERVICE WORK.

This paper critiques the notion of empowerment and the concept of power upon which it is based. Specifically, it argues that the concept of empowerment, as generally represented in human service work, has developed along a highly abstract and Utopian line which does not necessarily result in the kind of the practice its supporters preach. The discourse of empowerment is based on rationalist assumptions which if left unexamined will continue to perpetuate relations of domination between human service workers and clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]