INTERSECTIONALITY CASE ANALYSIS
Study Notes
SOCW‑6051‑2: Diversity, Human Rights, and Social Justice
Topic: Intersectionality Case Analysis
1. Introduction
Intersectionality Defined: A framework developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw that examines how overlapping social identities (race, gender, class, sexuality, disability, religion, etc.) create unique experiences of oppression and privilege.
Case Analysis Purpose: To apply intersectionality in understanding client experiences, systemic barriers, and social work practice.
Relevance to Social Work: Intersectionality highlights the complexity of human behavior and ensures culturally competent, justice‑oriented interventions.
2. Historical Context
Origins: Coined in 1989 to describe how Black women face compounded discrimination from both racism and sexism.
Evolution: Expanded to include multiple identities and systems of oppression.
Human Rights Lens: Recognizes that discrimination is multidimensional and requires holistic advocacy.
Social Justice Lens: Calls for dismantling intersecting systems of inequality.
3. Key Concepts
Multiple Identities: Individuals embody more than one social identity simultaneously.
Interlocking Systems: Racism, sexism, classism, ableism, heterosexism, and other forms of oppression intersect.
Privilege and Oppression: Some identities confer privilege while others create marginalization.
Contextual Analysis: Intersectionality requires examining social, cultural, political, and economic contexts.
Dynamic Process: Identities and experiences shift across time and environments.
4. Case Example (Hypothetical)
Client: Maria, a 25‑year‑old immigrant woman of color who identifies as LGBTQ+ and lives with a disability.
Challenges:
Employment discrimination due to race, gender, and disability.
Limited access to healthcare and housing.
Stigma from cultural community regarding sexual orientation.
Intersectional Analysis: Maria’s experiences cannot be understood by examining race, gender, or disability alone; they must be analyzed together.
Social Work Response: Holistic assessment, culturally competent engagement, advocacy for systemic change, and empowerment strategies.
5. Psychological Impact
Identity Conflict: Navigating multiple marginalized identities can create stress and confusion.
Mental Health: Increased risk of anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms.
Resilience: Intersectionality also highlights strengths, such as community solidarity and cultural pride.
Internalized Oppression: Clients may internalize negative stereotypes from multiple systems.
Empowerment: Recognizing intersectionality fosters self‑acceptance and advocacy.
6. Social and Environmental Impact
Workplace: Discrimination based on race, gender, and disability simultaneously.
Healthcare: Barriers due to language, socioeconomic status, and systemic bias.
Education: Marginalized students may face compounded exclusion.
Community: Cultural stigma and lack of inclusive resources.
Policy: Laws may fail to address overlapping forms of discrimination.
7. Engagement Strategies
Cultural Humility: Acknowledge complexity of identities without assumptions.
Active Listening: Validate experiences across multiple dimensions.
Trust Building: Recognize systemic mistrust among marginalized groups.
Family and Community Involvement: Engage supportive networks while respecting client autonomy.
Intersectional Awareness: Avoid reducing clients to single identity categories.
8. Assessment Strategies
Biopsychosocial Assessment: Incorporate intersectional lens to explore biological, psychological, and social domains.
Tools: Genograms, ecomaps, cultural formulation interviews.
Risk Factors: Multiple marginalized identities increase vulnerability.
Protective Factors: Community solidarity, resilience, cultural pride.
Intersectional Questions: How do overlapping identities shape access to resources and experiences of discrimination?
9. Intervention Strategies
Individual Therapy: Trauma‑informed, culturally competent approaches.
Group Work: Support groups for shared intersectional experiences.
Community Engagement: Partner with organizations serving diverse populations.
Policy Advocacy: Promote laws addressing multiple forms of discrimination.
Strengths‑Based Approach: Highlight resilience and empowerment across identities.
Education: Raise awareness in institutions about intersectionality.
Restorative Practices: Address harm caused by intersecting oppressions.
10. Challenges in Practice
Complexity: Intersectionality requires nuanced understanding beyond single categories.
Institutional Resistance: Systems may prefer simplified approaches.
Resource Limitations: Lack of inclusive services for diverse identities.
Bias: Practitioners must confront personal biases.
Ethical Dilemmas: Balancing cultural respect with advocacy against harmful practices.
11. Contemporary Issues
Immigration: Intersection of race, class, and legal status.
LGBTQ+ Rights: Intersection with race, religion, and disability.
Disability Justice: Intersection with socioeconomic status and healthcare access.
Globalization: Increased diversity requires intercultural competence.
Digital Spaces: Online discrimination reflects intersectional biases.
12. Support Needs for Practitioners
Training: Ongoing education in intersectionality and cultural competence.
Supervision: Guidance in navigating complex cases.
Collaboration: Work with interdisciplinary teams.
Community Resources: Access to diverse organizations and advocacy networks.
Policy Knowledge: Awareness of laws protecting multiple marginalized groups.
13. Conclusion
Intersectionality is essential for understanding complex client experiences.
Case analysis requires examining overlapping identities and systemic oppressions.
Social workers must integrate intersectionality into engagement, assessment, and intervention.
Advocacy, education, and empowerment are key to promoting equity and justice.
Intersectional practice strengthens social work’s commitment to diversity, human rights, and social justice.
Quiz (15 Questions)
Multiple Choice
Who coined the term “intersectionality”? a) Max Weber b) Kimberlé Crenshaw c) Karl Marx d) Pierre Bourdieu
Intersectionality emphasizes: a) Single identity categories b) Overlapping identities and oppressions c) Biological factors only d) Economic class exclusively
Which perspective highlights cumulative experiences across time? a) Systems Theory b) Ecological Perspective c) Life Course Perspective d) Psychodynamic Theory
Which assessment tool maps family and cultural relationships? a) Genogram b) DSM c) CBT d) IQ Test
Which intervention strategy addresses harm caused by intersecting oppressions? a) Restorative practices b) Punitive discipline c) Ignoring cultural context d) Standardized testing
True/False
Intersectionality only applies to race and gender. (False)
Privilege and oppression can coexist within the same individual. (True)
Intersectionality simplifies client experiences by focusing on one identity. (False)
Social workers must confront personal biases when applying intersectionality. (True)
Intersectionality is relevant to both individual and systemic analysis. (True)
Short Answer
Define intersectionality and explain its relevance to social work practice.
Provide one example of how overlapping identities create unique experiences of discrimination.
Identify two protective factors that support resilience in intersectional contexts.
Describe one challenge practitioners face in applying intersectionality.
How can policy advocacy address intersectional forms of oppression?
SOCW-6051-2: Diversity, Hum Rights, Soc J-Summer 2025OW
ANTI-RACIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
INTERSECTIONALITY CASE ANALYSIS
Up to this point in the course, you have been looking at each dimension of diversity on its own. However, these dimensions do not exist in isolation. Rather, they sit alongside and on top of one another, intersecting and shaping a person’s unique identity and contributing to their experience of oppression.
Imagine a painting and the multiple colors that, with each brushstroke, layer on top of one another to create the artwork. Perhaps these colors blend to form new tones or textures that stand out from the rest. In much the same way, various layers of identity combine to create the complex environment in which you and your clients live and interact. Consider the historical intersection between class, race, and sex: Women and people of color have long been denied the means to obtain assets and grow wealth.
As a social worker, you must examine carefully these intersections so you can respond accordingly. For this Assignment, you apply your skills to a case where multiple aspects of identity are impacting experience.
To prepare:
Review the What Is Intersectionality? video in the Learning Resources. Reflect on intersectionality and what it might look like for clients you meet in practice.
Access the Social Work Case Studies media in the Learning Resources and explore Crystal’s case.
BY DAY 3 (Please write out the sub headings)
Submit a 2- to 3-page paper in which you address the following:
Identify the dimensions of identity present in the case.
Explain how these dimensions overlap and intersect to compound experiences of oppression.
Explain how you would approach the case as a social worker. How would you intervene or empower the client?
Would you explore social class as a contributor to the client’s experience—why or why not? Does class matter?
Use the Learning Resources to support your case analysis. Make sure to provide APA citations and a reference list.
Support your post with examples from the course text and any other resources used to respond to this Discussion. Demonstrate that you have completed the required readings, understand the material, and are able to apply the concepts. Include a full reference of resources at the bottom of the post.
Course book
Diversity, Oppression And Change 3RD 21
Author: Marsiglia
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-005952-1
ISBN-10: 0-19-005952-4
Edition/Copyright: 3RD 21
Publisher: Oxford University Press (course)
Required Readings
Marsiglia, F. F., Kulis, S. S., & Lechuga-Peña, S. (2021). Diversity, oppression, and change: Culturally grounded social work (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
oChapter 3, “The Intersectionality of Race and Ethnicity With Other Factors” (pp. 46–64)
Read the “Social Class” section.
oChapter 4, “Intersecting Social and Cultural Determinants of Health and Well-Being” (pp. 65–95)
American Psychological Association. (2017, July). Education and socioeconomic statusLinks to an external site.. https://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/education
Required Media
The Advocate. (2018, January 25). What is intersectionality? | Queer 101 | The AdvocateLinks to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXJ4Dbdm1ks
oNote: The approximate length of this media piece is 3 minutes.
NPR. (2018, April 11). Housing segregation and redlining in America: A short history | Code Switch | NPRLinks to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5FBJyqfoLM
oNote: The approximate length of this media piece is 7 minutes.
Walden University, LLC. (2021). Social work case studiesLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. https://class.waldenu.edu
oNavigate to Crystal.
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