HHS 320 Ashford University Week 2 Family and Cultural Differences Discussion

ORIGINAL HW POST

Refer to readings on pages 115 – 124 to analyze and determine the most culturally competent manner in which you might respond to a family of a different culture as a human service professional. Think of what “family” means to you and how it might be different from clients you might encounter. Discuss these topics in 250-300 words as well as any issues that might enhance or impede your effectiveness related to similarities and/or differences. Support your comments with two references and respond to at least two of your classmates.

++++++PLEASE RESPOND TO THE 2 CLASSMATES BELOW 250 WORDS EACH+++++

JULIAN GIBBS

STUDENT #1

Hello Class, Hope everyone is well.

I cannot express how important as a Human Service Professional to be aware of the dynamics of a family and its community that are supported by culture identifies. According to several family concepts, some main components of family may of consist of spirituality and strong religious affiliation within a local church. In my research I found that a large number African American families usually identify themselves as Christians. Asking the client to talk about his or her beliefs, family structure, and their obligations within the family will assist me in understanding the diversity, strengths and roadblocks in his family of origin (Schmidt, 2019). As Human Service Professional you must understand how a church laid the foundation for strengthen the communities as well supported Civil Rights movements. The church was considered to be a resting place for Civil Rights participates from generations to generations. This is a fact for a Human Service Professional to understand how religion plays a dominate role, since the church was a building in the community that was beyond control of what was known as white power. The church was a place where people could express themselves without reprisal or death.

As a father of two, I learned some elements of a family may consist of the responsibility of parenting, gender roles, what we consider as marriage as well as same sex marriages etc. As a Human Service Professional, these elements can be very tricky when speaking with families. From my experience it is important to meet family members within their communities or at local function, usually at a place where they are most comfortable. I remember how I was strongly influenced by my families’ spiritual and religious beliefs. Some of my family beliefs did not coincide with dominant cultures beliefs as well other families. I enjoyed this factor due to the sensitivity of the conversations that provided daily lessons learned about how family differences effect everyday functions and holidays. For example, some families instill the belief of a white man named Santa Claus brings their children gifts during the Christmas Holiday. On the other hand, some families are strongly against anyone taking honor of supporting their families. Another example is the disbelieve of same sex marriages. Western beliefs and values do not approve of same sex marriages, but Eastern countries accept same sex marriages. These factors are very important when studying or preparing to meet a client. A professional rule of thumb, is no matter what a person’s ethnic background, beliefs, culture or values may be in place, the need to connect is your first step in gaining trust.

Resources

https://www.familytoday.com/relationships/5-ways-to-become-a-more-family-oriented-person/#:~:text=A%20family%2Doriented%20person%20is,this%20through%20words%20and%20actions (Links to an external site.).

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/02/07/5-facts-about-the-religious-lives-of-african-americans/ (Links to an external site.)

https://www.bestrongfamilies.org/news/2018/9/28/what-does-family-mean-to-you (Links to an external site.)

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/12/12/eastern-and-western-europe-divided-over-gay-marriage-homosexuality/ (Links to an external site.)

SALLY CRAIG

STUDENT #2

The term “family” to me means my children, husband, parents cousins and aunts. Some family I am very close to and would do anything for and some I have not seen or spoken to in over a year but I still consider them my family anyway. Family is a group of people that love you no matter what happens, they are people you know you can always depend upon and they do not have to be blood related to be considered your family. Clients I may encounter may be foster children that consider the other children in a group home their family or the family they have been placed with because they have come to depend on them emotionally. They are considered family because they care for each other and helps them with their daily needs. They may have different families at certain points in their lives because of their situations. If they are in a bad foster situation they may feel at the time they have no family they can depend on at the moment. Children get attached to the people in their everyday environment and most often consider them family. “While a biological predisposition to develop attachment bonds to caregivers is assumed the quality of those relationships depends on the experiences children have with their caregivers”(Lang, K., Bovenschen, I., Gabler, S., Zimmermann, J., Nowacki, K., Kliewer, J., & Spangler, G.,2016).

As a human service professional you have to realize that some of your clients have not had ideal situations when it comes to family life and they may view things totally different than someone else. We must never be judgmental about what people feel or think. Every family is different there can be no father or two fathers, a older sister raising the children or grandparents, every situation is different and we need to always understand that. Certain cultures put a huge emphasis on family and the roles that go along with it and that could be causing your client problems because it may be to much stress on them. ‘In working with such clients, counselors are particularly diligent to monitor their personal beliefs about family, connectedness, and related values, and refrain from injecting their biases about family ties or family interference in the counseling relationship”(Schmidt,J.,2006). We need to be constantly educating ourselves on our clients situations and cultures so we can offer them the help that they need.

Lang, K., Bovenschen, I., Gabler, S., Zimmermann, J., Nowacki, K., Kliewer, J., & Spangler, G. (2016). Foster children’s attachment security in the first year after placement: A longitudinal study of predictors. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 36, 269–280. https://doi-org.proxy-library.ashford.edu/10.1016/…

Schmidt, J. (2006). Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling and Human Services: Multiple Influences on Self-Concept Development. Pearson Learning Solutions