ON HAITIAN CULTURE - Case Study Example

Case study on Haitian culture February 03, Case study on Haitian culture Culture defines moral values and differs across society. Haitian traditional values may for example be different from contemporary religious values or values of another culture. This case study discusses Haitian culture, based on experience of a Haitian called Ronald. In the case, Ronald learns that he is HIV positive and even though he confesses that he has been a homosexual who has concealed this from his family, due to their Haitian culture that is against homosexuality, he has been promiscuous over the past years.

The study discusses Haitian cultural vies of homosexuality, possible reactions from Ronald’s parents, cultural congruent strategies to address in designing HIV prevention strategies in the Haitian community. Haitians dominant cultural views of homosexualityThe Haitian dominant culture is based on the Voodoo religion that accepts homosexuality. According to the culture, any sexual orientation is acceptable. There are however contemporary divergent views of homosexuality as some members of the culture are opposing homosexuality.

Christian is however the basis of the opposition against homosexuality in the Haitian culture. Appert explains that Haitians have associated calamities that they face with the Voodoo culture and argued that a transition to Christian values would relinquish the nation’s calamities (2011, pp. 59, 60). Even though no legal provision prohibits homosexuality, very few Haitians support the sexual orientation and the religious orientation, about 80 percent of Haitians being Catholics, explains the little support.

Homosexuals have also often faced persecution because of their sexual orientation (Podcast, 2013, pp. 1).Possible reaction of Ronald’s parent if they were religious and traditionalIf Ronald’s parents learnt of his HIV status and they were religious, they would condemn him for his promiscuous behavior, especially because the religious orientation does not support his sexual orientation. The fact that Ronald is not yet married would also identify his HIV status with sin, despite his sexual orientation.

His parents would therefore have a negative attitude towards him for going against God’s commands. The fact that Haitians have associated calamities with sins would motivate the parents’ negative attitude because they would fear God’s wrath (Appert, 2011, pp. 59, 60). Religious command for forgiveness would however mediate the negative attitude, but a level of stigma is likely.Being traditional, Ronald’s parents would be indifferent regarding their son’s actins into contracting HIV because the traditional values accept all forms of sexual orientation.

The liberal perspective would also mean that premarital sex is acceptable. The parents would therefore support Ronald through his illness (Appert, 2011, pp. 59, 60). Culturally congruent strategies to address in designing HIV prevention practices in the Haitian communityOne of the culturally congruent strategies to address in designing HIV prevention practices in the Haitian community is advocating for use of seatbelts and safety helmets during ravels. Haitians have a culture of not using these safety objects and the non-usage increases risk of HIV infection.

Addressing the usage through advocacy would change practices and prevent some infections (Purnell, 2012, pp. 272). Belief that people can contract HIV through witchcraft is another cultural factor to infection in Haiti and changing people’s mindset through educating them on actual causes of HIV is a significant cultural congruent strategy to prevention. Multiple sex artners is another risk factor and promoting sexual morality, such as through influencing deviation from the Voodoo culture is a significant approach to preventing HIV infection among Haitians.

Addressing these strategies in designing HIV prevention strategies therefore promises success in preventing the infection (Georges, 2011, pp. 4). ReferencesAppert, J. (2011). Triangle of faith In. Understanding infinity: Our infinite God and His works. (p. 59, 60) Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse. Georges, Y. (2011). HIV/AIDS in Haiti: Analysis of demographics, lifestyle, STD awareness, HIV knowledge and perception that influence HIV infection among Haitians. Georgia State University. 4. Retrieved from: http://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1169&context=iph_theses. Podcast. (2013).

Haiti after the earthquake: Homosexuals find acceptance in Voodoo. Podcast. 1. Retrieved from: http://outervoices.org/wp/?p=873. Purnell, L. (2012). People of Haitian heritage. In Transcultural health care: A culturally competent approach. (4th Ed, p. 272). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Co.