(Rosen, Mccall, & Goodkind, 2017). While social workers do not have any
control over the fact that they have not experienced the prejudices or oppression that certain
cultures and groups have experienced, they can, however, educate themselves and conduct the
research necessary to gain the understanding of the discrimination and prejudice that certain
groups face every day in America and around the world.
So, it is not professionally responsible just to be 'competent', we must practice cultural
sensitivity, humility, and competence. An analogy would be a mechanic, who has mastered the
curriculum and book work, but cannot use a wrench when it comes to the hands-on exercises.
I feel the project endeavor that we are about to take on, as a class, is how we should approach
cultural sensitivity, humility and competence. Gaining experience is an integral part of being a
social-worker and we must try to be perfect in our practices.
Rosen, D., Mccall, J., & Goodkind, S. (2017). Teaching critical self-reflection through the lens of
cultural humility: An assignment in a social work diversity course.
Social Work Education,
36
(3), 289-
298. doi:10.1080/02615479.2017.1287260
Reply
Quote
Email Author
Message Unread
Mark as Unread
Message Not Flagged
Set Flag
1 month ago
Carol Smith
RE: Discussion 1 - Week 2
COLLAPSE
Roxanne
You are correct we will never know ever culture however knowledge of your
clients demographics and beliefs can play an important role in providing
assistant. Dealing with mentally ill clients could potentially present a problem.
We must get personal information from other family members in order to gain
cultural competence.
Reply
Quote
Email Author
Hide 1 reply
Message Unread
Mark as Unread
Message Not Flagged
Set Flag
1 month ago
Access the profile card for user: Roxanne Tracy
Roxanne Tracy
RE: Discussion 1 - Week 2
COLLAPSE
Carol,
In my post I was not implying that I would not do an assessment. In clinical
practice it is the first thing you are going to do. The assessment will include
background, culture, medical history, and the list goes on. When you take into
consideration the many cultures that exist in this world it is not possible to
know every nuance of every culture. That is why as a social worker one has to
be a detective as well. Taking the task of being a social worker as a career
choice implies that you will be many things. A historian, a seeker of knowledge,
a detective as I just mentioned. Yet, it should not be assumed that every person
in the field is going to know every culture. That is not practical nor possible.
We have to know our limitations and our knowledge weakness's or we can open
ourselves up to forming opinions that are not based on fact.
