consciousness-raising
UK[ˈkɒnʃəsnəsˌreɪzɪŋ]US[ˈkɑːnʃəsnəsˌreɪzɪŋ]
n
The process of making people aware of important social or political issues, especially in order to encourage them to take action.
Morpheme Breakdown
consciousness
raising
consciousness
awareness
raising
lifting
Etymology
The term is a modern compound, originating in the mid-20th century within social and political activist movements. It directly combines the abstract noun 'consciousness', denoting internal awareness, with the gerund 'raising', implying an active process of elevation. The logic is vividly metaphorical: to 'raise' the level of collective awareness about an issue from a state of ignorance or acceptance to one of critical understanding. This process is seen as a foundational step for mobilizing groups toward social change, transforming a personal state of mind into a shared, actionable insight.
Analysis
Structure: consciousness (awareness) + raising (lifting)
consciousness: From Latin conscientia ('knowledge within oneself, sense of right and wrong'), via Old French. In this compound, it functions as the object or state being acted upon.
raising: From Old English rǣran ('to cause to rise, lift up'). In this compound, it functions as the action of elevating or bringing forth.
Examples
The workshop focused on consciousness-raising about gender inequality in the workplace.
Many feminist groups in the 1970s used consciousness-raising as a key organizational tool.
Effective activism often involves a period of consciousness-raising before direct political action.