topic Re: Empowerment in Community Chat

Empowerment

esmerelda — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 17:48:12 GMT

How does it happen?

I followed up on a thread from a couple of weeks ago and read a reply that said something about when people are empowered things will be better for them.

So how does this "empowerment" happen? What does the word...empowerment...even mean?

Re: Empowerment

sheilababe — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 18:07:02 GMT

I believe people feel empowered when they have an encouraging audience. When others speak out and are listened to, that gives others the confidence to tell their story. Most people don't want to be the only one to speak. That's why the "me too" campaign has taken off; victims don't feel that they are alone.

Re: Empowerment

Ms tyrion2 — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 18:07:33 GMT

What do you think it means?

Re: Empowerment

qualitygal — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 18:10:38 GMT

@esmerelda, I must have missed that one, but I would think to believe in yourself and your own esteem, where you can trust your decision and act on them. Just my guess.

Re: Empowerment

deepwaterdotter — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 18:25:15 GMT

Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines it as "giving official authority or legal power to."

Re: Empowerment

Laura14 — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 18:26:30 GMT

For me, I was so miserable in my job and my life that I finally took the steps to make myself unmiserable. It's called stop complaining and start doing and I did.

Best holiday gift to myself ever.

Re: Empowerment

just bee — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 18:33:40 GMT

Oxford defines it as:

The process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights.

Re: Empowerment

withaK — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 18:35:53 GMT

To me it means to take control of your life and yourself---make necessary changes, set goals and make a plan toward your goals, be willing to do the work and be scared or uncomfortable in doing so.

Re: Empowerment

cowboy sam — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 18:36:50 GMT

@Laura14

Good for you and i bet you could instanly feel the stress roll off your shoulders!

Re: Empowerment

Laura14 — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 19:45:48 GMT

@cowboy sam wrote:
@Laura14

Good for you and i bet you could instanly feel the stress roll off your shoulders!

@cowboy sam More and more every day. It's scary changing and getting out of comfort zones but the fear is slowly being replaced with excitement. I highly recommend it.

Re: Empowerment

software — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 19:27:58 GMT

@just bee wrote:
Oxford defines it as:

The process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights.

Seems like a no-brainer.

Re: Empowerment

suzyQ3 — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 19:33:45 GMT

This is just my gut instinct regarding the OP's question: I think that she might be implying, based on her wording, that the word "empowerment" is devoid of meaning after being used so often.

Re: Empowerment

151949 — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 19:37:31 GMT

per Webster -- authority or power given to someone to do something.

Re: Empowerment

SahmIam — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 19:42:18 GMT

Empowerment has always meant to me: To take control of your destiny. Be it education, career, health, relationships, YOU be in the driver seat. Don't rely on someone, don't allow someone to keep you down in any way. YOU be in charge no matter the odds.

I live by this. I teach my children this. I've worked with enough women who have come from situations where they NEVER believed they or their children were worth anything that once they believe in themselves and empower themselves, THEY are in charge of their lives and they can SOAR.

And they do. : )

Re: Empowerment

Mominohio — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 20:09:34 GMT

Knowing you aren't alone is of great value but true empowerment comes from within. No one cane find it for you, you must find it within yourself.

Re: Empowerment

puttypiesmom — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 21:17:03 GMT

Salma Hayek...an excerpt from what she wrote

Harvey Weinstein is my monster too

No to opening the door to him at all hours of the night, hotel after hotel, location after location, where he would show up unexpectedly, including one location where I was doing a movie he wasn't even involved with.

No to me taking a shower with him.

No to letting him watch me take a shower.

No to letting him give me a massage.

No to letting a naked friend of his give me a massage.

No to letting him give me oral sex.

No to my getting naked with another woman.

No, no, no, no, no

And with every refusal came Harvey's Machiavellian rage.

Please read her account.

Re: Empowerment

Forbidden Fruit — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 22:59:02 GMT

@esmerelda wrote:
How does it happen?

I followed up on a thread from a couple of weeks ago and read a reply that said something about when people are empowered things will be better for them.

So how does this "empowerment" happen? What does the word...empowerment...even mean?

Hi Esme:

My son had this as an assignment in HS recently. The question was simply: what is empowerment?" The paper could be as long/short has you needed it to be.

This is what my son wrote: Empowerment is when you stop thinking you are a victim.

Hope it helps. I thought he was spot on. (He got an A, by the way).

Re: Empowerment

151949 — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 23:14:17 GMT

@151949 wrote:
per Webster -- authority or power given to someone to do something.

I think people are making way more of this word than it actually means. For instance - when I passed my state boards I was empowered to be a registered nurse. When you get married you are empowered to be a wife - have a baby , you are empowered to be a mother. When an employee gets a promotion to a job like a foreman he is empowered to supervise the work of those employees under him.

Saying or thinking you are empowered to determine your destiny is pretty naive IMO. There are many factors that are not in your control that work toward or against your destiny. Illness - economic conditions - weather - politics -- many things can change your direction or completely derail your destiny and are totally out of your control.

Re: Empowerment

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 20:07:59 GMT

I view "empowerment" as the legitimate recognition of one's ability to institute change.

When I cast my vote for a candidate, I am choosing to empower him or her to represent my best interests.

Re: Empowerment

suzyQ3 — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 23:53:25 GMT

@Forbidden Fruit wrote:
@esmerelda wrote:
How does it happen?

I followed up on a thread from a couple of weeks ago and read a reply that said something about when people are empowered things will be better for them.

So how does this "empowerment" happen? What does the word...empowerment...even mean?
Hi Esme:

My son had this as an assignment in HS recently. The question was simply: what is empowerment?" The paper could be as long/short has you needed it to be.

This is what my son wrote: Empowerment is when you stop thinking you are a victim.

Hope it helps. I thought he was spot on. (He got an A, by the way).

@Forbidden Fruit, kudos for your son's high grade.

I was a victim of harassment. I won't shed that label. It's just a fact. It doesn't mean that I'm weak or somehow lacking. "Victimization" alludes to someone who perhaps uses the concept for personal gain of some sort. But "victim" is not a bad word

I'm sure that your son wasn't implying that at all, but I do look worry about some who come very close to blaming those who have suffered at the hands of others. It's just too close to the idea that we should forget and just move on.

Not going to happen.