Question: Discussion 2: Power, Privilege, and Classism

Power, privilege, and classism are interconnected. The more privilege you enjoy, the more power you have to access opportunities that build wealth. The more wealth you can amass, the higher your social standing. It is important to note that having wealth is not an indictment. However, the privileges that have often led to inequalities in wealth distribution are real. As a social worker, you may find yourself working with clients who do not enjoy the privileges you knowingly or unknowingly enjoy. The more you understand your own relationship to power, privilege, and class, the better you will understand your clients' realities. For this Discussion, review how classism is represented in the Hernandez family.

• An explanation of how classism is demonstrated in the Hernandez video.

• Identify specific barriers to social services that the Hernandez family experiences because of their class status (e.g., working poor).

• Explain how the intersection of class (e.g., working poor), ethnicity (e.g., Hispanic), and migration history (e.g., move from Puerto Rico to mainland) may further impact the Hernandez's experience.

• Identity 2-3 strengths in the Hernandez family.

• Provide recommendations for how social workers might address issues of classism present in the Hernandez case.

• Explain how recommendations would address class issues.