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?
Sorry, but I don't work where the National Nurses United are. I wish! Also not all unions are effective as the National Nurses United have been. Frankly when we are dealing with the corporate takeover of healthcare where nurses have been turned into replaceable widgets we need all the help we can get! Shared governance is not a replacement for a strong effective union when they get better working conditions as they have been successful in CA everyone benefits, not just the nurses, but especially the patients.
I worked this one job where we we had this policy that you were supposed to smile at everyone you came across- “buy in” to new initiatives (those were the words in the rules) and if we talked about being understaffed we were told we would lose our jobs. We were grossly understaffed. We had to bargain for our vacations and were made to feel guilty for going on vacation. Someone was given a “smile award” every month for following this strict Set of rules that were supposed to promote positivity and boost morale. It makes me furious just to think about it. It was hard to leave because 1.) they “needed” us and 2.) It was a nursing home, sorta hard to get another job after that. I had to do some fighting to get out. We weren’t allowed to have alarms on residents (or psychotropics, no staff for 1:1, no restraints) and one day I was working with a new grad and trying to help her and we had multiple falls and injuries that day amongst our residents. We had this one new white collar lady who said a lot of judgmental things to us that day and me and the other nurse both had to leave the floor crying in frustration while the white collars (including the creator and enforcer of the smile policy) looked on passively smiling (I’m not even exaggerating or being dramatic they were all standing there in a circle watching.) This job is probably why Office Space is my favorite movie and 1984 is my favorite book. “Must step up smile game today!. “ (Read: GET ME THE HELL OUT OF HERE !)
I feel like we aren’t oppressed as a group, we have a lot of freedom to move around and make good money- and we can just leave!. However, at certain jobs- perhaps LTC in particular, yes, it certainly does feel oppressive at times!
Sounds like hell. I don't know how nurses deal with the challenges of LTC. The insanely high ratios. My coworker's wife, also a nurse had 40 patients at night, but when they were short they actually gave her 80 patients one night. Totally unsafe and insane. Also your hands are tied behind your back with all the rules such as no restraints and no meds. How can you possibly keep the patients safe from falling under those conditions? It is impossible. Then the utter ignorance and condescension to tell you to smile more, smile all the time. Glad you were able to get out of there!
I prefer to think of nursing as "Golden Handcuffs", or if you prefer a golden birdcage. Research shows I will live 10 years less in this captivity, because I work nights, but it pays enough to support a family on. Let alone my increased risk of cancer from my exposure to all the hospital chemicals, and radiation. How many of our coworkers have died from cancer, but have no other risk factors?
C'est la Vie
Cheers
I don't think there are enough perks to call it golden handcuffs, maybe brass. lol I too work nights and am aware of the studies of increased cancer rates and many other chronic health problems. But frankly it isn't so much about extra pay, although that is nice, it is more about peace of mind because nights is calmer. I don't know how the nurses on days manage they don't have a moment of peace, they are always being interrupted by someone and there isn't any downtime, at least on nights once PM's is over things start to wind down.
This thread reinforces my thinking regarding nursing education at the higher levels. My impression has always been that it involves a lot of clinically irrelevant material such as this Friere's theory, which sounds like the foundation for a lot of liberal sociological ideologies.
Is nursing PhD coursework ideological preparation for future policymakers to implement the philosophical outlook of academia?
Not necessarily. A lot of PhD coursework is on research methodology -- stats, qualitative interpretation strategies, research design, etc. But the foundation of knowledge (any type of knowledge) is philosophy -- and most programs include some courses focusing on philosophy -- how we know what we know, why we believe what we believe to be true, what does it mean to be a person, ethics, etc.
That's why it is a "Doctor of Philosophy" degree and not a "Doctor of Nursing Practice" degree. In PhD programs, the emphasis should be on the foundations of knowledge and the methods of knowledge development so that the graduates are prepared to engage in research responsibly and lead the development on nursing knowledge. People who want to focus on the physical practice of nursing generally get DNP degrees.
Thank you, and I agree - no one is trying to make light of the fact that certain racial, ethnic, or other socio-political oppression exists and is a serious problem for certain groups. Nor am I trying to diminish the terrible physical and psychological consequences of intense, visible, blatant oppression in other groups. However the more I studied the theory, it appears that oppressive forces, wherever or whoever they are, can happen anywhere, however, the behavior that results is often similar - intergroup hostility being a big one. This is how many nursing scholars have come to define the reason bullying persists in nursing, more so than in other professions or workplaces. In my grappling with this theory in nursing, I certainly agree that I struggled with the equating nursing to, say, systemic racism or ethnic cleansing. But at the same time, there do not have to only be extreme examples in order for other groups to experience oppressive environments.
Thanks for commenting and challenging the theory - challenges are most definitely welcome!!
The bolded statement is where you lost me. I don't for a minute believe nurses are victim's of bullying more than other professions or workplaces. Workplace bullying does exist in nursing, but I don't believe it is nearly as pervasive as you are implicating. Ask the female workers in male dominated fields like the auto industry or mining or even our military if they have ever felt bullied. I can say with a fair amount of confidence that they have experienced way more bullying in their workplace than nurses as a group.
The bolded statement is where you lost me. I don't for a minute believe nurses are victim's of bullying more than other professions or workplaces. Workplace bullying does exist in nursing, but I don't believe it is nearly as pervasive as you are implicating. Ask the female workers in male dominated fields like the auto industry or mining or even our military if they have ever felt bullied. I can say with a fair amount of confidence that they have experienced way more bullying in their workplace than nurses as a group.
True! I agree that was an overstatement on my part
Specializes in Nursing Education, FNP, Holistic Health.
katherinebrewer7--thank you for the information. I applaud your article on nurse bullying. I have recently reviewed Freire's theory (for dissertation purposes) and Susan Roberts article. And I completely agree with her findings. She felt that nurse bullying could be connected to the feelings of subjective oppression within the work environment. As stated, it is a theory - it helps explain why the constructs exist. With the prevalence of workplace bullying and incivility experienced by nurses, it is of value in furthering research on these topics.
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
I didn't see this when it was first posted. Very interesting article and so well written! I like the debate that ensued. I agree that nurses are not oppressed, because you can quit being a nurse but you cannot quit being a minority. I would love to see more shared governance and I agree that in many hospitals nurses and their input are grossly undervalued in favor of money, but I keep coming back to the fact that if a nurse is unhappy with the conditions, they can escape. Just my humble opinion! I don't have a PhD and only took one philosophy class LOL
brandy1017, ASN, RN
2,910 Posts
Sorry, but I don't work where the National Nurses United are. I wish! Also not all unions are effective as the National Nurses United have been. Frankly when we are dealing with the corporate takeover of healthcare where nurses have been turned into replaceable widgets we need all the help we can get! Shared governance is not a replacement for a strong effective union when they get better working conditions as they have been successful in CA everyone benefits, not just the nurses, but especially the patients.