Definitions of empowerment

Defining what we mean by empowerment and then exploring words and terms around it may help us map out a landscape, which we could then enhance with more words, phrases, terms, concepts and ideas.

How about these for starters?

Power: The capacity to do something. The ability to act in a certain way. The ability to influence the actions of others. The ability to exert force. The possession of control. The possession of authority. The ability to change the course of events, to affect an outcome.

Powerlessness: To have little or no influence within your life; to not be heard; to be repressed, oppressed, discriminated against; a feeling during and following a violation to your being.

Empowerment: A process of being stronger and more vocal about who you are and what you want. An ability to express your own identity and to tell your story yourself. Standing up for your right to self-govern as well as the rights of your fellow citizens to be autonomous. Power that we can tap into (as it’s already inside us). Fighting the tyranny of power from others.

Self-control: The ability to regulate ourselves, our emotions, our thought processes, and take responsibility for our own actions. The acknowledgement that in satisfying our needs, urges, desires and impulses, there are consequences that can affect the well-being of ourselves and others. A recognition that we all have choices to make as to how we respond to our internal messages.

Responsibility: Having control over someone or something, for example a baby. Being accountable. Being liable. A moral obligation. A thing that one is required to do. Taking responsibility for your own actions.

Are these definitions useful to you? Are you content with them or would you like to expand their reach and come up with something that fits your own understanding of empowerment? What words and terms are missing from this list?