Empowerment: The point of view of consumers

The theory about "empowerment" has been formulated primarily in the academy. Consumers and social work practitioners generally have not taken an active role in the theoretical development of this concept. This study examines empowerment from consumers' and social workers' point of view. Twenty focus groups composed of four different Israeli consumer populations and social workers serving them were examined. The findings reveal the significance of empowerment from the perspectives of the different groups and identify differences among the consumer populations, as well as between consumers and social workers. The perceptions of consumers and social workers about empowerment provide deeper insights into and sharper formulation of this concept. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.