Marginalised groups and intersectionality

Question 1

Intersectionality (Crenshaw 1991):

Answer 1

• Addresses imbalances of power that occur WITHIN marginalised groups.
• Where people traverse two or more marginalised groups, the power imbalances in their relationships with other groups are multiplied.

For example: Indigenous people with disability.
An Indigenous man with an intellectual disability is constantly perceived as drunk by other groups.

Question 2

Intersectionality implications for social policy:

Answer 2

People who are most in need can be the ones who are left unsupported…
When social policies and service systems are designed with one population in mind but fail to accommodate marginalised groups due to unique circumstances.

Question 3

Example of Indigenous intersectionality when accessing health support.

Answer 3

Challenges increase as intersectionality becomes more complex…

• General population (low challenge).
• Indigenous population/people with disability (challenge).
• Indigenous people with moderate disability (highly challenging).
• Indigenous people with severe disability (extremely challenging).

Question 4

Implications for practice (2):

Answer 4

• Considering the power differential between the practitioner and the person needing support.
• The role of ‘trust’, both in the system of the support and the individual practitioner.

…reluctance to disclose important information due to fear (without trust).