Relationships and the Meaning of Power for Disadvantaged Women

The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of power for 36 disadvantaged women. Interview responses were coded for moral orientation (care, justice), self-definition (connected, separate) and relational context, as well as examined for themes of power. Analyses did not support the expectation that the majority of disadvantaged women would experience power as a care orientation. Moreover, being employed or a mother did not moderate a woman's view of power as justice or care. As expected, women were more likely to describe relational rather than non-relational power experiences. Identified power themes were consistent with those found by other researchers but several new themes were also identified. Dominant themes were: power is legitimized by a woman's role and power is destructive when used in a negative way.