Final answer:
Therapists use societal context to help clients understand the impact of social issues, specifically on women's experiences. Reflections on gender-based violence reveal societal attitudes, informing community-based response strategies. Community psychologists employ intersectionality and education as tools for societal change.
Step-by-step explanation:
Using societal context, the therapist responds to the client's concern by placing it in the context of society's role expectations for women. The aim is to provide the client with insight into the ways social issues are affecting her. This approach of contextualizing personal experiences within broader societal structures is a key aspect of community psychology and aligns with the concept of intersectionality, which recognizes the importance of understanding the interplay of various social identities and power structures. By examining one's own place within these structures, therapists and community psychologists can better understand the experiences of those they aim to support.
When reflecting on conversations about gender-based violence, statements often heard may include remarks on the responsibility of the victim, the role of cultural norms in excusing aggressive behavior, and the need for better education and support for survivors. Such statements indicate society's often problematic responses to gender-based violence and highlight the necessity of developing community-based interventions that address these cultural and societal narratives.
Through a focus on educational programs, support networks, and policy changes, community psychologists can create alternate settings and systems of support that help challenge and change the community's understandings and responses to social challenges including gender-based violence.