What is "empowerment" and why might it be a good thing?

Question

What is empowerment? We empower people when we help them help themselves. Volunteers empower. The dictionary has several definitions, and one states that through empowering, you give someone authority. There is a since of true accomplishment when someone gains control of their own destiny, so to speak. Some people in this country may at times feel completely powerless, unable to solve simple problems of everyday living. There are people on welfare that cannot break the legacy of their family’s dependency. When we train these people, educate them and open doors previously closed to them, we help or enable them, and offer them the POWER or way to improve their situation.

Answer 1

It sounds like you answered your own question, but I would add that in the act of "empowering," there is inherently an unequal power relationship that exists. That is, the person or institution or whatever it is doing the empowerment or giving empowerment assumes that that person has more power and the person receiving it has less. This is something that is important for those on the "giving" end to recognize for its implications in how you think about the work that you do with less empowered groups or individuals, such as in analyzing where that power differential is rooted. Is it due to race, class, gender, etc?

Answer 2

Empowerment is almost always a great thing. People want to feel in control of their situation. I think it's the general apathy that is in abundance right now, from cell phone carriers to customer service at large that is marking the breakdown of our civilization. No one feels empowered anymore, you're not empowered as a customer, like you used to be. If you are just a marginal worker, doing enough to get by but never going the extra mile to help someone you're rewarded by getting to keep your job.