| Abstract: | In her recent book Fire With Fire, Naomi Wolf (1993) argues that contemporary feminism has, for a number of reasons, alienated many women and consequently needs to change direction. Wolf claims that the time is ripe for change as the socio-political context is now sufficiently different for women to claim the power, status and authority which is rightfully ours. Her analysis of women's power turns on her notions of victim feminism and power feminism, the former being an unnecessary and unhelpful stance for women to take, while the latter is, for Wolf, the most effective way to bring about enduring changes for women. In this article, I will explore these ideas and their relevance for our work with women, especially those women who have been physically emotionally and/or sexually abused. My aim is to highlight the complexities in the lives and experiences of such women, and to discuss both the applications and limitations of Wolf's ideas about women's power. |
