Social Work Students Knowledge of Feminism

ABSTRACT

Feminist theory has expanded significantly in the last three decades, but little is known about how this information is applied in the social work curriculum that serves mainly female students who will eventually serve predominantly female clients. This study measured student knowledge of and attitudes about feminist-oriented practice. A questionnaire was administered to 127 undergraduate and graduate students in four schools of social work. The findings reveal that student knowledge of feminism is not extensive and a feminist orientation is not widespread in the student population. Less than half the students identified themselves as feminists and over two thirds were not familiar with basic feminist literature. Recommendations are made for enhancing the feminist perspective in the curriculum.