30 ● Anita Gibbs and Kate van Heugten
origins of the assumptions, question the meaning of the assumptions, and
develop alternative ways of acting.”
A number of writers (Agger 1998; Fook 2012; Fook and Askeland 2006;
Fook and Gardner 2012) have formulated the basic tenets of critical reflection:
● (^) use of critical theory, thereby bringing the structural to the personal
● (^) acceptance of knowledge as socially constructed and value-based
● deconstruction of power, language, and practice within their social,
historical, political, philosophical, and cultural contexts
● (^) analysis of discourse that leads to transformation, empowerment, and
reconstruction of structures, identities, self, problems, relationships,
and practice
● (^) creation of knowledge rather than “knowledge-as-facts” seeking
A critical approach to social work practice has been developed by Fook and
colleagues in Australia, using ideas from postmodern theory, critical theory, and
critical reflection. This approach is “concerned with the analysis and transfor-
mation of power relations at every level of social work practice” (Healy 2005, 172).
It can incorporate Marxist, radical, feminist, queer, and antiracist ideas, and it
attempts to “understand the original causes of oppression, within overarching
social structures” (Healy 2005, 174). Fook (2012) has noted, however, the
limitations of a purely structural focus; she has argued that, although the aim
of a critical approach to social work is to analyze, challenge, and transform
social structures, it should also be committed to empowering individuals to
use their own strengths to construct new narratives of coping and resilience.
The “critical” in a critical approach to social work thus informs anti-oppressive
frameworks and narrative and strengths approaches (all of which are discussed
in this chapter).
If we were to apply some of the basic features of critical reflection to Aleena’s
situation, we would begin to view her situation as a set of structural challenges
rather than, say, poor choices or poor parenting skills. We would understand
that Aleena has struggled to have opportunities to provide for her family and
that she has experienced oppressive living conditions and social exclusion. We
would encourage Aleena and those working with her to critically analyze the
power structures and imbalances of her situation, as well as to deconstruct
the dominant narratives that others are using about her or that she herself
believes about her situation. It would be important to then reframe and recon-
struct Aleena’s problems—poverty, single parenthood, unsafe neighborhood,
depression—utilizing empowerment strategies, as well as analyzing the social,
cultural, and economic contexts. The goal would be to enable Aleena to con-
sider and develop alternative identities, strategies, and practices. Helping