Empowennent is both a value orientation for working in the community and a theoretical
model for understanding the process and consequences of efforts to exert control and influence
over decisions that affect one's life, organizational functioning, and the quality of community
life (Perkins & Zimmennan, 1995; Rappaport, 1981; Zimmennan & Warschausky, 1998). A
distinction between the values that underlie an empowennent approach to social change and
empowennent theory is necessary. The value orientation of empowennent suggests goals,
aims, and strategies for implementing change. Empowennent theory provides principles and
a framework for organizing our knowledge. The development of empowennent theory also
helps advance the construct beyond a passing fad and political manipulation.