Oppressed group behavior is a theory that is derived from studies of colonized populations, with similar dimensions to a meta-theory of post-colonialism. Freire, a Brazilian sociologist and educational researcher, developed a framework in the landmark publication The Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Freire (1970) describes the theoretical constructs of oppression in social systems, and suggests that oppression is a multi-factorial social dynamic, in which one group dominates another group through violence, economic devaluation, and other means. The result of the oppressive social dynamic is dehumanization of the oppressed group. Freire applies a post-modern lens to oppressive systems, indicating that though race was a primary means of identifying an oppressed group, oppression can occur at any level of social distinction, to include professional trade.
According to Freire, a defining characteristic of oppressed social groups is self-deprecation. In an oppressive social system, oppressed groups see themselves as inferior and less valuable than superior groups. Oppressed groups maintain that identify of inferiority throughout the group culture, and doubt their ability to have knowledge and valid thoughts. The oppressors enforce a system of exploitation, which the oppressed group subconsciously accepts or sees as a status quo. Only through realization of the oppressive system, and awareness that oppressed groups are by no means less human than their oppressors, can an intellectual revolution take place to balance the social system.
Freire describes the theory as a pedagogy because of the importance of understanding oppression as an educational awakening in a social group. As a pedagogy, Freire suggests that oppression within education meant that students were subject to teachers, and were not recognized as having valid thoughts or knowledge prior to the classroom setting. Freire believed that oppression exists through the eyes of the oppressed group, as opposed to an objective lens of a social system. That is, the oppressors rarely realize the levels of oppression and dehumanization they are inflicting on a certain group, often in the name of economic gain and maintaining power. The subjective nature of oppression is an essential element of the pedagogy, and the oppressed dominate the understanding of the oppressive behaviors and systems, both in their suffering within those systems and in the fight for liberation.
In nursing, the pedagogy of oppression could help to explain the possible existence of feelings of oppression in the hospital. Sometimes despite the rewards of nursing practice, there is a feeling of being undervalued, underappreciated, and undercompensated.
Seeking Solutions
Yet, the Freire’s articulation of oppression is not without possible resolution, since education offers the chance for liberation. Possible solutions to improving the experience of nurses is to consider how to upend the level of oppression in healthcare. This could involve elevation of nursing groups to a higher level of governance with the administrators.
Theoretically, this level of elevation is akin to what Freire suggests as the antidote to oppression. Freire suggests that a balance of power, in which the oppressed are validated as being humanistic, and having true rational thoughts and opinions, can dissipate oppression. In education, Freire suggests that dialogue is the means by which liberation occurs. The dialogue was considered the radical departure from oppression, and one in the balance of knowledge and of humanity is achieved by both parties. A shared governance system between administrators and nurses groups could exemplify Freire’s notion.
Shared governance is a possible a solution to oppressive nursing environments. Autonomy of practice, shared governance, and open communication are theoretically akin to the use of dialogue in education as a means of liberating an oppressed group.
Evidence-based strategies to reversing oppression could include acknowledgement of the existence of oppression in nursing, cultivation of caring and supportive environments among groups of nurses, and empowerment at all levels of nursing to be involved in decision making in nursing practice and team-based nursing care. Simple acts of authentic praise likewise can improve the experience in nursing education. Nurses that support and praise one another, and even simply acknowledge that oppression exists in the nursing profession, can enhance the positive culture of a work environment.
Does any of this sound familiar to you? Do you feel oppressed in your work environment? And if not, is there anything that your workplace does that enhances your feelings of value and appreciation?
Freire postulates that oppression can be subtle. It can be violent, but also can be subvert. The hallmark of the construct are that the group is made to feel devalued by a means of the social, economic, and political environment. However one can certainly argue that an economic workgroup such as nurses cannot claim the mantle of supreme systematic oppression as can other groups such as those you mention.
I don't care what Frere postulates. I am talking about the misuse of the English language that is so common today in our culture of victimhood.
First of all, hierarchies are an inherent part of the human, and animal, experience. Nurses are not at the top, I'll tell you that right now.
We are worker bees. In the United States we can usually expect to make a reasonable living, and have 4 days off a week. If we manage our finances well, we can live better than most people in the world.
I don't care what Frere postulates. I am talking about the misuse of the English language that is so common today in our culture of victimhood.
First of all, hierarchies are an inherent part of the human, and animal, experience. Nurses are not at the top, I'll tell you that right now.
We are worker bees. In the United States we can usually expect to make a reasonable living, and have 4 days off a week. If we manage our finances well, we can live better than most people in the world.
6 minutes ago, Emergent said:
I don't care what Frere postulates. I am talking about the misuse of the English language that is so common today in our culture of victimhood.
First of all, hierarchies are an inherent part of the human, and animal, experience. Nurses are not at the top, I'll tell you that right now.
We are worker bees. In the United States we can usually expect to make a reasonable living, and have 4 days off a week. If we manage our finances well, we can live better than most people in the world.
Fair enough. Multiple view points strengthen the debate.
I think what we're seeing here is the disconnect between upper tier nursing academics and the actual ground level provision of nursing care. Nursing is very unique among most any profession (that I can think of, anyway) in that it has constructed it's own education theory, leadership theory and research theory to just name 3. Most every other discipline uses generally accepted authoritative theory in those respective areas. There are no considerations of medical, legal or biological sciences education, leadership or research theories. They see no need to re-invent the wheel. I never did see the utility for carving out a separate 'nursing' way to look at all these disciplines and speaking with my NP friends who had to endure it all, they don't either. There is a real risk of over thinking higher level academic nursing right into irrelevancy, if it hasn't happened already in some places.
For all of the validation hospital nursing administration pays to this kind of thinking, I notice that the hospital brass that are nurses don't posses graduate Nursing Business Administration degrees, or Nursing Public Health Administration degrees.
That's because there is a lot of money on the line and plenty of competitors ready and willing to take it far, far away.
Nursing theory academics are well and good for style points, but when jobs and money are on the line, the real world intervenes.
I think what we're seeing here is the disconnect between upper tier nursing academics and the actual ground level provision of nursing care. Nursing is very unique among most any profession (that I can think of, anyway) in that it has constructed it's own education theory, leadership theory and research theory to just name 3. Most every other discipline uses generally accepted authoritative theory in those respective areas. There are no considerations of medical, legal or biological sciences education, leadership or research theories. They see no need to re-invent the wheel. I never did see the utility for carving out a separate 'nursing' way to look at all these disciplines and speaking with my NP friends who had to endure it all, they don't either. There is a real risk of over thinking higher level academic nursing right into irrelevancy, if it hasn't happened already in some places.
For all of the validation hospital nursing administration pays to this kind of thinking, I notice that the hospital brass that are nurses don't posses graduate Nursing Business Administration degrees, or Nursing Public Health Administration degrees.
That's because there is a lot of money on the line and plenty of competitors ready and willing to take it far, far away.
Nursing theory academics are well and good for style points, but when jobs and money are on the line, the real world intervenes.
Amen! You've described why I don't take the concept of non-clinical nursing doctorate degrees seriously.
For years, I rejected the idea that nurses are oppressed. It was based on my own experience (did not feel oppressed) and my understanding. I thought that oppression is something that only applies to the well known marginalized groups that have been experiencing oppression.
It was not until I started to work in a community setting and now in a community acute care place that I changed my opinion. I was used to academic centers and never felt powerless. I was mentored by strong clinical nurses who felt as equal partners in care when dealing with providers. A lot has changed in nursing. And what I am seeing now prompted me to re-think.
I do think that nurses as a group are oppressed, behave like oppressed groups do, and often oppress fellow oppressed nurses. Ever witnessed report where nurses are afraid of giving report because the next nurse is highly critical and tries to exert passive-aggressive power?
This is not an oppression competition where the most oppressed group in the country or world is the only one that can be oppressed or legit oppressed. It is good to understand those dynamics that lead to oppression so we can understand how we are being treated and also how we treat other nurses or people.
The hallmark of the construct are that the group is made to feel devalued by a means of the social, economic, and political environment.
I don't feel oppressed in any way. I actually feel the opposite. I feel valued, even to the point that some of the patients' families will put us on a pedestal. We are highly valued by our physicians. The Attendings demand that the nurses be respected. Any Resident that disrespects a nurse is dealt with swiftly. Every daily Plan of Care must be agreed upon by the bedside nurse. Residents will preemptively get agreement to their Plan of Care from the bedside nurse prior to officially rounding with their Attending. I am also definitely not economically oppressed. If I am supposed to be oppressed, they they are doing a very poor job at it.
I don't feel oppressed in any way. I actually feel the opposite. I feel valued, even to the point that some of the patients' families will put us on a pedestal. We are highly valued by our physicians. The Attendings demand that the nurses be respected. Any Resident that disrespects a nurse is dealt with swiftly. Every daily Plan of Care must be agreed upon by the bedside nurse. Residents will preemptively get agreement to their Plan of Care from the bedside nurse prior to officially rounding with their Attending. I am also definitely not economically oppressed. If I am supposed to be oppressed, they they are doing a very poor job at it.
That is great. No the theory doesn't mean that everyone is oppressed, or everyone feels the same way, it's just a way of defining why certain things seem to 'fit' together in a conceptual way. Thanks
katherinebrewer7
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