{"id":210,"date":"2021-09-24T16:20:32","date_gmt":"2021-09-24T20:20:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/assessmentnursingmain\/chapter\/moving-toward-anti-oppression-perspectives-in-health-assessments\/"},"modified":"2024-06-27T13:04:18","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T17:04:18","slug":"moving-toward-anti-oppression-perspectives-in-health-assessments","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/assessmentnursingmain\/chapter\/moving-toward-anti-oppression-perspectives-in-health-assessments\/","title":{"raw":"Moving Toward Anti-Oppression Perspectives in Health Assessments","rendered":"Moving Toward Anti-Oppression Perspectives in Health Assessments"},"content":{"raw":"

Understanding anti-oppression<\/strong> first requires understanding what oppression is.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Oppression<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\r\n

Oppression can be defined as the unjustified use of power<\/strong> and privilege <\/strong>to stagnate others socially, politically, and psychologically. Oppression is imposed through demoralizing interactions, discriminatory and exclusive policies\/practices, deprivations in access to resources, and publicly propagated stereotyping that create barriers to opportunities, growth, acceptance, and recognition for some groups in society (Banks & Stephens, 2018).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Oppression is often framed in opposition to privilege<\/strong>, which can be defined as the unearned<\/strong>, unobstructed access to resources<\/strong>, respect<\/strong>, acceptance<\/strong>, and opportunities awarded to others<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Both oppression and privilege are unscripted laws of society that, whether exercised knowingly and unknowingly, govern how we think about and interact with those considered \u201cdifferent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Oppression<\/strong> is both experienced<\/strong> and felt<\/strong>. Social oppression is structural, meaning it operates at all levels and systems in society, but it is experienced at the individual\/group level in the form of powerlessness, trauma, feelings of unworthiness, and an indefensible struggle for recognition and acceptance. This struggle has yielded a legacy of resilience and resistance in Canada, especially among racialized and Indigenous populations, but the persistent navigation of structural barriers and personal biases has had consequences for these groups, including trauma and illness (Matheson et al., 2019).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Anti-Black racism rooted in slavery and anti-Indigenous racism rooted in colonization are known to be illness-inducing forms of oppression<\/strong>. Experiences of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism often translate to less educational and job opportunities, increased rates of incarceration, and more exposure to violence. Black and Indigenous children are more likely to be in the child welfare system (Matheson et al., 2019). These experiences increase the possibility of these individuals coming into contact with the healthcare system.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Anti-Oppression<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\r\n

As you engage with clients in the health <\/strong>and healing process<\/strong>, try to focus on restorative<\/strong> practices. Try to recognize <\/strong>and interrupt<\/strong> the negative consequences of discrimination, racism, colonization, and social injustice. As a nurse, you should operate from a position of cultural sensitivity, cultural competence, cultural humility, and cultural safety, with an overarching professional responsibility<\/strong> to anti-oppressive<\/strong> practices.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

An anti-oppressive framework <\/strong>of practice is an all-encompassing commitment to social justice<\/strong> and the flourishing of human dignity<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When you apply an anti-oppressive perspective to a health assessment, you will be acutely aware of the many ways that health inequities can negatively transform the health of clients, their worldviews, and their responses and interactions. This kind of understanding will help ensure that you do not stagnate<\/strong> the client\u2019s healing process, and prompt you to take action to confront discriminatory and exclusive practices within the healthcare system that might hinder the client\u2019s access to equitable care.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

\r\n

Contextualizing Culture<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

For example, Black youth in Toronto are disproportionately affected by gun violence deaths and injuries. The social stigma of experiences with gun violence often has negative effects on the care they receive from healthcare providers (Khenti, 2018). When assessing a young Black man with an injury, a nurse who is aware of the concepts of culture will understand that race puts the client at risk for this type of injury. From an anti-oppressive perspective, the nurse further understands that racial inequities and social stigma associated with this type of injury may affect healthcare workers\u2019 views and interactions with this young man and put him at risk for discriminatory care. Awareness of this possibility might prompt the nurse to obtain information needed to help advocate for health resources for the client, and also to support all members of the healthcare team in providing accessible and empathetic care.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n

As you conduct a health assessment from an anti-oppression perspective, you should consider how [pb_glossary id=\"442\"]structural barriers[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> and\u00a0[pb_glossary id=\"444\"]internalized powerlessness[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> resulting from\u00a0oppression can silence the voices of marginalized clients and prevent them from advocating for themselves in the healthcare system. Recognizing how to collaborate with these clients to <\/span>advocate for health needs<\/strong> is an important part of an anti-oppressive approach to health assessments. Always be aware that feelings of disrespect and unworthiness are common consequences of social oppression, so it is critical that you remain <\/span>professional<\/strong> and <\/span>respectful<\/strong> to clients of diverse lived experiences in all interactions.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Activity: Check Your Understanding<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
[h5p id=\"147\"]<\/span><\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n

References<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\n
\r\n\r\nBanks, K. H., & Stephens, J. (2018). Reframing internalized racial oppression and charting a way forward.\u00a0Social Issues and Policy Review<\/em>,\u00a012<\/em>(1), 91-111.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/sipr.12041<\/a>\r\n

Khenti, A. A. (2018). Three decades of epidemic black gun homicide victimization in Toronto: Analyzing causes and consequences of criminological approach<\/em>. (Doctoral dissertation).\u00a0<\/span> https:\/\/yorkspace.library.yorku.ca\/xmlui\/handle\/10315\/34979<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Matheson, K., Foster, M. D., Bombay, A., McQuaid, R. J., & Anisman, H. (2019). Traumatic experiences, perceived discrimination, and psychological distress among members of various socially marginalized groups.\u00a0Frontiers in Psychology<\/em>,\u00a010<\/em>, 416.<\/span> https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2019.00416<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

<\/div>","rendered":"

Understanding anti-oppression<\/strong> first requires understanding what oppression is.<\/p>\n

Oppression<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Oppression can be defined as the unjustified use of power<\/strong> and privilege <\/strong>to stagnate others socially, politically, and psychologically. Oppression is imposed through demoralizing interactions, discriminatory and exclusive policies\/practices, deprivations in access to resources, and publicly propagated stereotyping that create barriers to opportunities, growth, acceptance, and recognition for some groups in society (Banks & Stephens, 2018).<\/span><\/p>\n

Oppression is often framed in opposition to privilege<\/strong>, which can be defined as the unearned<\/strong>, unobstructed access to resources<\/strong>, respect<\/strong>, acceptance<\/strong>, and opportunities awarded to others<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both oppression and privilege are unscripted laws of society that, whether exercised knowingly and unknowingly, govern how we think about and interact with those considered \u201cdifferent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Oppression<\/strong> is both experienced<\/strong> and felt<\/strong>. Social oppression is structural, meaning it operates at all levels and systems in society, but it is experienced at the individual\/group level in the form of powerlessness, trauma, feelings of unworthiness, and an indefensible struggle for recognition and acceptance. This struggle has yielded a legacy of resilience and resistance in Canada, especially among racialized and Indigenous populations, but the persistent navigation of structural barriers and personal biases has had consequences for these groups, including trauma and illness (Matheson et al., 2019).<\/span><\/p>\n

Anti-Black racism rooted in slavery and anti-Indigenous racism rooted in colonization are known to be illness-inducing forms of oppression<\/strong>. Experiences of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism often translate to less educational and job opportunities, increased rates of incarceration, and more exposure to violence. Black and Indigenous children are more likely to be in the child welfare system (Matheson et al., 2019). These experiences increase the possibility of these individuals coming into contact with the healthcare system.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anti-Oppression<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

As you engage with clients in the health <\/strong>and healing process<\/strong>, try to focus on restorative<\/strong> practices. Try to recognize <\/strong>and interrupt<\/strong> the negative consequences of discrimination, racism, colonization, and social injustice. As a nurse, you should operate from a position of cultural sensitivity, cultural competence, cultural humility, and cultural safety, with an overarching professional responsibility<\/strong> to anti-oppressive<\/strong> practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

An anti-oppressive framework <\/strong>of practice is an all-encompassing commitment to social justice<\/strong> and the flourishing of human dignity<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

When you apply an anti-oppressive perspective to a health assessment, you will be acutely aware of the many ways that health inequities can negatively transform the health of clients, their worldviews, and their responses and interactions. This kind of understanding will help ensure that you do not stagnate<\/strong> the client\u2019s healing process, and prompt you to take action to confront discriminatory and exclusive practices within the healthcare system that might hinder the client\u2019s access to equitable care.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Contextualizing Culture<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For example, Black youth in Toronto are disproportionately affected by gun violence deaths and injuries. The social stigma of experiences with gun violence often has negative effects on the care they receive from healthcare providers (Khenti, 2018). When assessing a young Black man with an injury, a nurse who is aware of the concepts of culture will understand that race puts the client at risk for this type of injury. From an anti-oppressive perspective, the nurse further understands that racial inequities and social stigma associated with this type of injury may affect healthcare workers\u2019 views and interactions with this young man and put him at risk for discriminatory care. Awareness of this possibility might prompt the nurse to obtain information needed to help advocate for health resources for the client, and also to support all members of the healthcare team in providing accessible and empathetic care.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

As you conduct a health assessment from an anti-oppression perspective, you should consider how