Cultural Identity and Cultural Awareness - Essay Example

Discussions al Affiliation Discussions Discussion Cultural identity of Important Cultural aspects an Outsider May Need To Know Diversity among African Americans is present in immigration patterns, political views, regional residence, and phenotypic characteristics (Dodge, Hill, & McLoyd, 2005, p. 31). Additionally, generational and past experiences further diversify and shape this culture resulting to alterations in demographics, and political, social, and economic factors as well as continued changes in gender roles and attitudes. Conversely, Dodge, Hill and McLoyd (2005, pp. 31-32), reveal that cultural niches unite generations within African American culture resulting to belief system in a powerful and compassionate God, shared african american english, and communalism emphasizing collective destiny, unity, and social interdependence. Information a Social Worker May Need To Know A social worker must know African American social economic status, education level, beliefs and values, and communalism culture and value of interpersonal relationships to assist my family effectively. Consequences of Lack of Cultural Awareness A social worker without cultural awareness lacks cross-cultural knowledge required to serve African Americans efficiently, fail in self-awareness for not appreciating multicultural identities, fails in service delivery and is unable to make appropriate referrals for their diverse clients, and lacks cross cultural skills needed to accept and remain open to cultural differences. Reference Dodge, K. A., Hill, N. E., & McLoyd, V. C. (2005). African American family life : ecological and cultural diversity. New York: Guilford Press. Discussion 2: Cultural competence A Description of My Level of Understanding of Client’s Culture The culture of my client is African American female (Para.1). African Americans value families only that they are hierarchical and dominated by males. When tracing relatives, both the father and mother’s kin are acknowledged although more emphasis is patrilineal. No social classes are known within this culture despite variations in wealth, privileges, and individual achievements. Two Additional Pieces of Information from the Client Single parenthood is common amongst African Americans. From Brenna, it is clear she has been raised by a single parent, her biological mother (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014). As a 15 year old teenage girl, Brenna was sexually assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend and chased out of her home to live in a homeless shelter after prolonged challenges. It is also clear that African American adolescent girls are vulnerable to sexual assault with little support from parents especially in low socioeconomic status families. Consequently, it is hard to successfully graduate from high school due to teenage pregnancies. References Plummer, S. B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (2014). Workig with Survivors of Sexual abuse and Trauma: The Case of Brena. In Social Work Case Studies: Foundataion year. Vital Source. Discussion 3: Social work competence Criteria That Define Competence in Social Work The two criteria that define competence in social work include evidence-based practice and building of partnerships. The social worker (Social Work Policy Institute, 2010)and the client have to work together to identify feasible aspects, the parties and the resources involved. Example of each criterion and justification When working with sexual abuse victims like Brenna, evidence based practice requires the use of well-researched mediations with ethics and clinical experience, Brenna’s preferences and culture to inform treatment delivery (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014, p. 1). This would means arranging individual case management sessions, where the victim and the social worker interact and relevant history gathered. In partnership formation, a social worker must identify barriers to Brenna’s fulfilling set goals like difficulties reading and writing and assist in Medicaid, and women Infant and children supplemental nutrition program, and offers assistance in apartment acquisition. To improve reading and writing, the social worker should provide victim with relevant information regarding available self-help and educational centers where one can enroll to improve reading and writing capabilities. References Plummer, S. B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (2014). Workig with Survivors of Sexual abuse and Trauma: The Case of Brena. In Social Work Case Studies: Foundataion year. Vital Source. Social Work Policy Institute. (2010). Evidence-based practice. Retrieved from: http://www.socialworkpolicy.org/research/evidence-based-practice-2.html Discussion 4: Strength-based Perspective Description of strengths Within My Family Three main strengths in my family are communalism, value for interpersonal relationships, and oral traditions (Epley and Turnbull, 2010). Within my family, interpersonal relationships are highly regarded with everyone observing respect for and responsibility towards each other (Dodge, Hill, & McLoyd, 2005, p. 30). Consequently, well-established interpersonal relationships will be crucial in overcoming major life events through strong social support. Oral tradition, long upheld by my family, results to information transfer from any member of the family and demonstrates availability and involvement in family matters to inform and have everyone share the same information. Importance of Strengths in Supporting Strength-based plan Besides participation of family members in family matters, family networks and social networks are also highly regarded. Being a family with more-educated people, there are larger networks including both family and non-family members and this is useful in the identification of outstanding and complementary effects on health behaviors. References Epley, P., Summers, J. A., & Turnbull, A. (2010). Characteristics and trends in family-centered conceptualizations. Journal of Family Social Work, 13(3), 269�285. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Dodge, K. A., Hill, N. E., & McLoyd, V. C. (2005). African American family life : ecological and cultural diversity. New York: Guilford Press. Discussion 5: Group Facilitation Description of Four Characteristics of A Good Facilitator A social worker facilitating a group must structure the group to facilitate active participation, observe respect, positive attitude, and use participants’ participation to define subject content. Characteristics of Representing My Strengths For effective facilitation, a social worker must structure the group such that members actively participate and interact frequently (Prendiville, 2008, pp. 13-15). I value active participation and interaction with members by listening, having a positive attitude that trusts each member expresses their perspective openly, and then offer feedback based on observations other than judging. Again, facilitators must observe respect. As a facilitator, respect is core since it assures each member the right to air their opinion, right to be heard, and right to make choices. Additionally, facilitators must define meaningful activities to demonstrate discussion content and ask open-ended questions. Subject content understanding in groups may vary for factors like age, education, and gender and I ensure that groups are broken into smaller groups that seek the solution to problem at hand. With smaller groups, I then ask open-ending questions to facilitate thinking, application, interpretive, and feeling like how participant feels. Characteristics to Improve However, I need to improve on managing group dynamics like of having members work towards a common decision resulting from group thinking where members forfeit the push for collective decision for consensus propagation. References Prendiville, P. (2008). Developing Faciliation Skills. Dublin: Combat Poverty Agency. Discussion 6: Agency Reflection: Adult Resource Center Brooklyn A Description of Visited Institution The agency was established to promote satisfactory, secure, and stimulating lives for adults within all ages and those with intellectual disabilities. Despite being founded by a group of concerned parents, the agency is currently a large-scale institution offering multiple services to at least 100 consumers. Services Provided, the Served Population, Sources of funding, and Organizational Structure The agency also offers recreational, home-based, and residential programs to young, middle-age and senior adults. The agency works with disabled adults to facilitate their assimilation into the society, optimizing their independence capacity and offering opportunities to grow, advocating their requirements, and improving society awareness of their concerns (faqs.org, 2014). Agency funding is from admissions, and services or sold merchandise; and grants, gifts, membership fees, and contributions. Potential Areas of Improvement Potential areas of growth are provision of professional development for families and adult educators aimed at the delivery of superior quality services to individuals. The agency can also help caregivers by offering and supporting required services and resources. The agency is headed by a director, assisted by a manager who supervises social workers, nurses and volunteers. References faqs.org. (2014). dult Resources Center Inc, A R C in Brooklyn, New York (NY). Retrieved from http://www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/NY/Adult-Resources-Center-In-Dba-A-R-C.html#revenueExpensesAndChangesInNetAssetsOrFundBalances Discussion 7: Planning for Practice Description of Issues that May Impact Social Work Field Some potential challenges to social work include definition and establishment of services and program roles for the country’s aging population, increased social work status in policy and advocacy decisions, and clear articulation of social work’s possible contributions (Cox, Chapin, & Kelchner, 2014, p. 60). Areas of Difficulty for Me For me, such changes will challenge my flexibility to adapt to changing social workers’ roles, and policy and advocacy decisions given that this will require both experience and additional educational qualification. Planning to support Description of two strategies for soliciting Supervisor Support One challenging situation is working with verbally abusive or aggressive client. One strategy for soliciting support from supervisor to assist in assessing the open door meeting’s appropriateness is to propose the approach as a preventative technique. In this case, the supervisor can assist with ways of observing confidentiality. Additionally, the supervisor’s support in promoting my safety and security will be possible by soliciting support so as to fulfill the trust I have in my instincts in a potentially dangerous situation. This will serve well in assisting the agency promote worker’s safety in future similar situations. References Cox, O. E., Chapin, R., & Kelchner, E. (2014). Gerontological Social Work Practice: Issues, Challenges, and Potential. London: Routledge. Read More