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According to Prinsloo(2012), cultural diversity refers to ‘the variety in human society and culture in a specific region’. In the following paper, I will reflect on culture and diversity as well as the sensitivity to diversity.
What is diversity?
Queensborough Community College (2022) said that ‘the concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences’. These differences can be in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and or other ideologies. Queensborough Community College (2022) also state that diversity is a reality created by individuals and groups that means much more than just acknowledging and tolerating difference. According to Steps4Change (2022), diversity is important because it drives creativity and innovation, leads to higher rates of productivity and performance, and promotes personal growth.
Diversity in social work
Yeshiva University (2021) states that the awareness of the role of diversity in social work is critical. The university also emphasizes that diversity in social work is about having a broad understanding of how the social issues in society and the deeper historical context can influence the life of a client. I feel that it is important to be aware of diversity in the social work life. As a social worker, you are going to work with different people on a daily basis, different in terms of age, gender, beliefs, values, etc. Your views, beliefs, and principles as a social worker will be challenged and if you are aware and know how to deal with diversity you will be able to handle these challenges. If you are aware of diversity it will help you understand that it is wrong to force your beliefs and values on your client.
In 2019 I studied social auxiliary work and during my practical my beliefs, values, and principles as a person were challenged. I worked with a client who at that time didn’t believe in God. The client felt that if God exists why is he living in poverty and why did God take away his wife? He was a very religious person until his wife died. This was very difficult for me because I had to control my emotions and be civil. I had to put my principles aside and focus on my client. In preparation for my practical, we had to deal with social work principles and they prepared us to work with diversity and this assisted me in helping my client.
What is culture?
Schank, Muscato, and Chapel (2021) describe culture as the groups of art, beliefs, knowledge, customs, and habits that people assign to their lives. They describe culture as the societal norms that people experience in their community. Schank and his team identify 2 types of culture namely: material culture and immaterial culture. Material or physical objects are known as material culture and immaterial culture refers to literature, values, beliefs, etc. Immaterial culture is objects that are not physical.
Culture in social work
Nakupi (2020) said that the reason why culture is important in social work practice is because it takes place within an organizational context. According to the magazine decision-making in social work is influenced by organizational culture because it has an impact on the behavior of the client or the relationship with the client. ‘It has the potential to disempower social workers leading to stress and apathy and impede change designed to improve matters’ said Nakupi(2020).
In my community, there are different cultures and each has its own values and beliefs. When it comes to respecting different cultures I can say that people in my community are very respectful. As a social worker, it is important to be aware and to understand culture and its differences in order to understand a client’s situation better. It is important to know that there are people with different cultural backgrounds.
Developing cultural sensitivity
Dabbah (n.d) describes cultural sensitivity as ‘being aware that cultural differences and similarities between people exist without assigning them a value positive or negative, better or worse, right or wrong’.
The book written by Toseland and Rivas (2021) states that there are a lot of different ways a group facilitator can intervene with sensitivity to diversity in a group. These different ways are put together from the different principles in social work. The methods that the Toseland and Rivas (2021) book enlightened are:
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- The use of social work values and skills
- To make use of a strengths perspective
- Explore meanings and language
- Advocating and empowering members
- To make use of techniques and programs that are culturally appropriate
- Creating awareness amongst group members about social justice
Prinsloo(2012) highlights the following as important group work values related to diversity: 1. ‘Positive relations and participation among people of different color, creed, age, national origin, and social class; 2. A high degree of individualization so that every member’s unique concerns are addressed.’
My own cultural sensitivity
As a leader who must develop my own cultural sensitivity, I first have to be aware of my own values. In group work, I am going to work with people from different cultural backgrounds and need to respect each and every member. If I am aware of my own personal values I will be able to handle and deal with the cultural differences that group members are bringing to the table. To be aware of my own cultural sensitivity I have to do research on different cultures and what is acceptable in that culture and what is not. I have to become culturally skilled in order to put my values aside and understand the world of my group members. Respect and dignity should be the number one goal in the group.
Conclusion
Importance of sensitivity to diversity and multicultural understanding in social work.
Maina (2021) says that ’embracing cultural sensitivity helps us understand how cultural differences may affect and influence individuals when forming their unique personalities, perceptions, and their interactions with others. This will help prevent cultural problems in the workplace.’ Toseland and Rivas (2021) say that in all groups there is diversity and it is important for group workers to develop a perspective on how to work with members with different backgrounds. It is important in social work to have some cultural sensitivity and a multicultural understanding because, throughout your social work career, you are going to work with a diverse group of people. It is important to be aware of your principles and values in order to help and assist the group members to the best of your ability. ‘Social work settings take place in a variety of settings and diverse areas to facilitate client empowerment and social change. The everyday realities of social work interactions occur within a global world and ethnically diverse society. ‘ Hall and Theriot (2016). To support the statement of Hall and Theriot(2016), Wahler(2012) also stated that ‘Social workers interact regularly with people from a variety of backgrounds, life experiences, and cultures.’ This is exactly why it is important to have sensitivity towards diversity and a multicultural understanding.
Reference List
- Dabbah, M. (n.d.). A definition of cultural sensitivity. Accessed from: https:redshoemovement.comwhat-is-cultural-sensitivity Accessed on: 22 May 2022
- Hall, J.C. & Theriot, M.T. (2016). Developing multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills: Does diversity training make a difference? Multicultural perspectives,18(1),35-
- Maina, D. (2021). Importance of cultural awareness in the workplace: How to become more culturally aware. Accessed from: https:www.easyllama.comblogimportance-of-cultural-awareness Accessed on: 22 May 2022
- Nakupi, L. (2020). Why organizational culture within social work is so important. Accessed from: https: www.basw.co.ukresourcespsw-magazines-onlinewhy-organizational-culture-within-social-work-so-important Accessed on:22 May 2022
- Prinsloo, R. (2012). The ‘Rainbow Nation’ way of teaching sensitivity to diversity for social work with groups.Groupwork 22(1),27-
- Queensborough Community College. (2022) Definition of diversity. Accessed from: https:www.qccc.cuny.edudiversitydefinition.html Accessed on: 22 May 2022
- Schank, T., Muscato, C.,&Chapel, L. (2021). What is culture? How cultures are different. Accessed from: https:study.comlearnlessonwhat-does-culture-mean-examples.html Accessed on: 22 May 2022
- Steps4Change.(2022). Why is diversity so important? Accessed from: https:www.steps4change.orgwhy-is-diversity-so-important Accessed on: 22 May 2022
- Toseland, R.W. & Rivas, R.F. (2021). An introduction to Group Work Practice. 9th ed. Global edition. Essex, Pearson
- Wahler, E.A. (2012). IKdentifying and challenging social work students’ biases. Social Work Education, 31(8), 1058-
- Yeshiva University. (2021). Diversity in social work. Accessed on: https: online. yu.eduwurzweilerblogdiversity-in-social-work Accessed on: 22 May 2022
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