What is emancipatory?

Emancipatory refers to a process of freeing individuals or groups of people from oppressive or limiting conditions and empowering them to take control of their lives. Emancipatory approaches emphasize the importance of social justice, equity, and collective action to achieve societal transformation. In education, an emancipatory approach aims to enable students to develop critical thinking skills and to challenge dominant power structures and social norms. Emancipatory theories and practices are often associated with social movements, such as feminism, anti-racism, and LGBTQ+ rights. The ultimate goal of an emancipatory approach is to create a society in which all people have equal opportunities and access to resources and can experience freedom and fulfillment in their lives.