Status Quo Versus Status Quake: Putting the Power Back in Empowerment

Empowerment is a compelling concept inside and outside of community psychology, but widespread use has diffused its meaning such that it has come to mean almost any action intended to help a person or community. Consequently, it is difficult to synthesize research or compare programs that emphasize empowerment. We contend that two components of the construct are essential: relevance and power. Drawing on a theoretical model of empowerment, we explain the key connection between these components and social justice, and then explore the degree to which they are included in scholarly and lay applications of empowerment. We found the majority of applications leave out one, the other, or both components. To avoid the danger of not questioning, or worse, strengthening the status quo in the name of empowerment, empowerment needs to be firmly relocated on the bridge between individual and social power and anchored in the priorities of marginalized communities.