Understanding Power and Privilege in Families

Sep 3, 2024

Lecture Notes: Diversity in the Family - Week 3

Course Announcements

  • Focus on pacing and organizing assignments.
  • Encourage use of planners or electronic devices to track due dates.
  • Reminder to mute microphones to minimize feedback during online sessions.

Week 3 Focus: Power and Privilege

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the influence of power and privilege on the family and family therapy.
  • Relate power and privilege to inequality and how it may influence therapy.
  • Explore the role of power and privilege in one's own family of origin and its impact on clinical work.

Content Overview

  • Readings are heavy this week but essential for understanding topics.
  • Supplemental videos provided (not required for exams, but useful resources).

Required Readings and Materials

  • Sue and Sue Text: Chapters 4 & 5
  • Counseling the Culturally Diverse Book: Chapters 15, 16, 17, 20
  • Video: Conversations with Great Minds (Part 1)

Assignments

Lecture Reflection

  • Reflect on personal insights from the week's lecture.

Privilege Walk Paper

  • Watch a 4-minute video.
  • Write a 500-750 word response addressing:
    • Observations on social class and privilege tied to prejudice.
    • Meaningful statements from the video.
    • Thoughts during the activity of people moving forward/backward.
    • Impact of understanding power and privilege on personal/professional life.
  • Due by Sunday midnight.

Key Concepts

Microaggressions and Macroaggressions

  • Microaggressions: Everyday slights or insults that marginalize individuals.
  • Macroaggressions: Systemic discrimination impacting groups.
  • Microassaults: Deliberate discriminatory actions or remarks.
  • Microinsults: Unintentional actions or comments that demean.
  • Microinvalidations: Comments or behaviors that exclude or dismiss.

Counseling Implications

  • Awareness of microaggressions is vital for cultural competence.
  • Engage in open conversations when clients express feeling slighted.
  • Familiarize with microinterventions and anti-bias actions.

Sociohistorical Privilege and Oppression (Chapter 5)

Counseling Implications

  • Recognize the influence of historical and sociohistorical forces on mental health.
  • Understand the biases inherited in mental health practices.
  • Emphasize social justice in therapy, addressing systemic issues.
  • Broaden roles to include advocacy, education, and community work.

White Privilege and Male Privilege

Understanding Privilege

  • Privilege often denotes dominance conferred by race or sex.
  • Recognize privilege may not equate to moral strength.

Clinical Application

  • Evaluate the usefulness of authority and address biases in therapy.
  • Facilitate therapeutic relationships that allow psychological work.

Reflection and Self-Assessment

  • Pause and reflect on class and poverty within family systems.
  • Engage in self-reflection to uncover biases and improve client interactions.

Additional Notes

  • The course material can be abstract and challenging, requiring time for reflection.
  • Office hours are available for further discussion and support.
  • Supplemental videos may be posted.
  • Emphasis on pacing and understanding the rich material in readings.

This summary captures the essence of the week 3 lecture on the influence of power and privilege in family therapy, assignments, and the importance of understanding microaggressions and social justice in counseling.