THE CONSCIENTIZATION OF OPPRESSION IN BRAZILIAN NURSING THROUGH FEMINIST PEDAGOGY: A CASE STUDY.
Contributors: Columbia University. Teachers College.
Published: 1992
Number of pages: 263
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Education, Curriculum and Instruction.; Women's Studies.; Sociology, Industrial and Labor Relations.
Description: The dissertation is about oppression in Brazilian nursing.

The researcher developed a course in a Master's program in Nursing, whose purpose was to foster critical reflection on the nursing education practice, taking into account the history of nursing and the condition of women in it. The goal was to achieve conscientization.

The framework of the study was based on Freire's conscientization (1989) and on feminist thought emphasizing consciousness raising.

The design of the study was based on emancipatory action research in which four moments are expected to occur, that is, planning, observation, reflection, and action. The course used feminist pedagogy for its classroom dynamics and seemed to have included the mentioned phases.

The study consisted of the report of the discussions throughout the course, which were submitted to qualitative analysis.

Brazilian nurses comprise an oppressed group and nursing educators seem to reproduce this oppressed behavior.

Nursing education and nursing practice are mediated by contradictions. These contradictions seem to be a reflection of the gender issue under a patriarchal and capitalist system.

Nurses seem to internalize oppression, assuming the dominant values. They avoid leadership, in general, and fear success. Lack of pride, self-assertiveness and confidence, among other things, keep nurses away from any initiative in the search for power and freedom. Unable to reverse their situation, nurses become hostile among themselves, this being one of the reasons for their lack of unity. To take risks, to have power and control are within the male domain and change is a threat.

Nursing educators seem to face a duality in fully assuming the teacher role due to the traditional image of authority (male) versus the image of nurturance (female).

Several other points were addressed regarding gender and oppression, and conflict was raised. Nevertheless, the perception was that consciousness had been achieved. The participants referred to personal growth as well as growth of the group as a whole. The fact that they could share their feelings and ideas in an atmosphere of respect, support and acceptance, was perceived as being helpful and empowering.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-02, Section: B, page: 0777.

Thesis (ED.D.)--COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TEACHERS COLLEGE, 1992.

School code: 0055.