Introduction
As social workers we’re expected to practice in multicultural and diverse cultures. Therefore, with these expectations it is our responsibility to prepare and be educated on how to effectively conduct a practice with an individual of a different religious view or ethnicity. Learning about a client’s particular religion or ethnicity before interacting with them will help eliminate any offensive behaviors a social worker could unknowingly engage in. This research will also allow for the helping professional to acknowledge the possible influences the religion or ethnicity can have on the client. Being aware of these factors from the start will help us avoid any miscommunications that could occur between the client and the social worker at the start of their practice. Interview Process This paper is a documentation of an interview that was conducted with a college student at Central Michigan University. The interview took place at Charles V. Park Library on November 11th, 2016. It was done face to face and lasted over an hour. The interviewee, Pattalina, is a Laotian, middle class, heterosexual nineteen-year-old female. She was asked to discuss her family background, current life, and her experiences as a minority. The interview consisted of about twenty questions that can be found attached to this paper. Family Background Pattalina comes from a family of four; her sister (23), her mother (48) both Canadian citizens, and her father (58) who
Being the grand-daughter of an officer in Hong Kong Customs and Excise department, listen to my grandmother 's anecdotes about her work has been a big part of my childhood memories. My interests in sociology developed over the course of interaction with my grand-mother. I observed her successes as an officer in the Customs and Excise department, from her social awareness, passions and, experiences. My academic and real-world experiences have built and pushed my interest to study sociology more in-depth. And I wanted to pursue an education in sociology and diversity in a university of California.
Throughout our country’s history, there have been many minority groups who have fallen victim to oppression. For the purpose of this assignment, I will compare and contrast the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Queer (LGBTQQ) community, the disabled community, and the African American community. Also, listing historically significant events past and present that have shaped their experiences.
The nature of this profession causes many complex ethnic issues to arise. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW)'s Code of Ethics guides Social Workers how to respond in such scenarios. I understand the ethnical decisions I will make as a social worker, are to reflect the core values and standards described by NASW Code of Ethics. It is important to have a foundation of ethnical beliefs set in place before constructing a life-altering decision for a client. I recognize my own ideals have sovereignty over my personal life, but in the field of social work it is important I uphold the values complied by NASW.
As America is rich in multi cultural immigrants’ diversities in culture, beliefs, faiths and religion are not uncommon among American population. Health care profession is one of the major areas that are affected with these diversities of culture, beliefs, faiths and religion. While there are many advantages of rich and diverse heritage, it’s challenging for health care professionals to deal with those from various faith/ spiritual background, especially for minority religious groups. However, in order to provide best available care health care professionals
Working with the Muslim American population a social worker should apply the skill of cultural competence. A social worker demonstrating the skill of cultural competence is important when working with Muslim Americans because it allows the social worker to grow in his or her awareness. Growing in the awareness of the Muslim American population is of key importance as it allows the social worker to exceedingly help the client and getting to know the client in depth. With that being said, Muslim Americans have cultural values that may affect the treatment options and the way the social worker communicates with the client; illustrating the importance of the social worker growing in his or her awareness in the clients culture.
Taking into consideration that Li is an immigrant, this would mean that she had to assimilate to her newfound husband and country. This created a number of cultural changes for including religion. Being alienated from her family and having to adjust to a new husband and nation would have added stress to the client, perhaps changing her religion to Christianity was a way from her to feel more accepted by her new culture and husband. Little is known about her life in Saigon, but this writer draws the thought that Li valued religion before she meets her husband and moved to America. Perhaps her switching religion was more of a way for her to freely express this part of herself that would be accepted in her new home. After all, if she continued to practice her old religion’s customs she would have been further estranged from her support system. And from the case, it is known that Li has not contacted her family in Saigon for years. The thought of losing another family could have influenced her change in religion. As the Social Worker on this case, Carolyn would benefit from referring to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics discusses the value that Social Workers uphold the dignity and worth of a person (National Association of Social Workers 2008). This value may offer some guidance to the situation.
While gender and ethnicity may be the more apparent cultural features other things are important also, which include sexual orientation, spiritual or religious practices, political aspects, and general philosophy of life are all cultural elements that need to be incorporated into interventions and treatment options” (Cummins et al., 2012, p.237). In addition, it is important for the social worker to have cultural knowledge because it is necessary for selecting the appropriate intervention and treatment methods for that client. Furthermore, the appropriate multidimensional assessment provides the social worker with the internal culture of the client such as cognitive abilities or limitations, emotional health, and emotional responses and
In the National Association for Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, there are many standards a social worker should uphold in order to promote a healthy and helpful relationship with the client. One such aptitude is Cultural Competence and Social Diversity, which is in section 1.05 of the NASW code of ethics (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). There are three sections associated with this competency “Social workers should understand culture and its function in human behavior and society, recognizing the strengths in all cultures”. It is assumed that “social workers should have a knowledge base of their clients’ cultures and be able to demonstrate competence in the provision of services that are sensitive to clients”. As a
To create further understanding the TCP model will be applied to each theories strengths and weaknesses. TCP model assists understanding in working across cultures. TCP contains five dimensions described below. Cultural knowledge is concerned with understanding concepts regarding culture and a social worker’s application of this knowledge. Cultural competency represents cultural responsiveness in the social work practice. Power, privilege, and oppression address power relationships in broader society and how this effects practitioners ability to understand and respond to these problems. Positionality is one’s relation of social location to others, and how this shapes an individual’s view in behavior and professional responses. Respectful partnership recognizes the need for the social work profession to approach working across cultures with a sense of inquiry and collaboration. (Drabble, Sen, & Oppenheimer, 2012)
Is very important for the family to feel valued and understood by their social worker to be able to have a successful therapy. Some researches recommend that agencies match their social worker with the client, such as sharing the same culture (Seipel & Way, 2006). If the social worker is very well familiar with the culture, not just by reading or with the help of another social worker, then most likely the family will immediately feel comfortable with the social worker because they will feel that she/he will understand their actions and emotions. Latinos are becoming the largest minority in the U.S., which means that the social workers must be aware of their culture, values, and beliefs when working with this population. With Latinos becoming the largest minority, most likely every social worker will have to help a Latino
It is important to keep in mind that although there may be conflicting views either amongst professionals or clients, to be aware of those biases and self-reflect on why they maybe arising with the particular issue. Furthermore, because of the work that social workers are involved in, they are constantly surrounded by conflicts and/or opposing views. Therefore, part of the social worker’s responsibility is to manage conflict in an effective and productive manner. This includes being authentic and relating in a natural, sincere, and genuine manner to others colleagues, professionals, and clients. By showing others that both should be contributing to the relationship, it allows room to facilitate growth for the client, group, and environment.
This report highlights how social work can aim to decrease racism, develop cross-cultural understanding and promote inclusive social services and social development processes (Bradshaw, Graham, & Trew, 2010). The research illustrates how there is no obvious set of rules, no “one size fits” all scenarios when working with Muslim clients (Bradshaw, Graham, & Trew, 2010). The study states how, “practitioners should be encouraged to enhance their cultural understanding and by offering services that address the specific needs of individual Muslim clients rather than services that are offered on the basis of an essentialist conception of what it means to be a Muslim in North America” (Bradhsaw, Grham, & Trew, 2010). The result of the study concludes how social workers need to address the role of faith and spirituality, community, gender, family and stigma when working with Muslim
It is imperative that social workers become knowledgeable about their clients’ cultures and are culturally sensitive. In learning about their clients’ cultures, social workers need to be aware of how powerful and significant culture is in relating to clients’ behavior, values, and beliefs. Becoming culturally competent requires the ability to integrate awareness, knowledge, and skills while maintaining a positive working relationship with the client (Sue and Zane, 1987). Today, the concerns regarding cultural competency continue to accentuate the importance of preparing social workers for a diversified society.
According to Diller (2007), working with culturally diverse populations require a social worker to be aware of personal values and beliefs, have knowledge of how the client views the world, and utilize effective and culturally appropriate intervention strategies. Therefore, working with Mr. Fahza requires the social worker to demonstrate awareness of personal values and beliefs. In addition, the social worker needs to understand how Mr. Fahza views the world and apply culturally appropriate
School counseling has evolved over the years into a significant component of the educational system. School counselors are taking on new roles in schools as leaders, working with “school administration and staff in developing student attitudes and behavior which are necessary to maintain proper control, acceptable standards of self-discipline and a suitable learning environment within the school” (Secondary School Counselor 2012). Counselors work in “diverse community settings designed to provide a variety of counseling, rehabilitation, and support services” (Counselors, 2010). When working in a school district as a counselor, you can either be an elementary school counselor, middle school counselor or a high school counselor.