Applying Anti Oppressive, Empowerment, and Strengths Based Approaches to Social Work Practice with Hmong Clients

Serge C Lee (California State University, Sacramento, United States)
Cindy Vang (University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, United States)
Jenny Chang (Southern New Hampshire University, United States)
Pa Der Vang (St. Catherine University, United States)

Asian Social Work Journal
Vol 6 No 5 (2021)

This conceptual article discusses social work practice with Hmong Americans using a framework that embraces anti-oppressive practice, empowerment and strengths-based approaches. Specifically, the Hmong kinship social construct of kwv tij neej tsa (pronounced: ku tee ning ja) is used to elaborate on the importance of upholding family relationships that transcends the worker-client relationship. Social workers are encouraged to empower Hmong to seek and ask for resources that support their collective value of connection to family and group identity, which is a strength that contributes to resilience and buffers against historically oppressive practices and systems.