Cultural Competency in Social Work

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses why globalization and the growing ethnic populations in the US have made it increasingly necessary for today's social service workers to be culturally competent. The paper presents the National Association of Social Workers ten standards of cultural competence. The author then defines cultural competence and its role and importance to a social services worker. The paper includes anecdotes from social work professionals to highlight various points. The author concludes that being culturally competent enables the social worker to provide better serives to the client.

From the Paper:

"A stereotype, however, would be a situation where someone would say, "Mexican women often express their pain loudly." If there is a Mexican patient who is complaining loudly about her pain and I the nurse ignores her, thinking, "Don't worry; Mexican women express their pain loudly," then she is guilty of stereotyping. If, on the other hand, she knows in general that female Mexican patients often express themselves this way, she would check with the family to see if this particular woman is vocal when in pain and follow up by checking her complaint (Galanti, 23). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brislin, R., Cushner, K., Cherrie, C. & Young, M. Intercultural interactions: A practical guide. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications, 1986.
• Galanti, Geri-Ann. The Challenge of Serving and Working with Diverse Populations in American Hospitals. (2001) Diversity Factor, 9.3: 21-26
• Garrison, E., Roy, I., & Azar, V. Responding to the mental health needs of Latino children and families through school-based services. (1999). Clinical Psychology Review, 19, 199-219.
• Lum, Doman (Ed). Culturally Competent Practice: A Framework for Understanding Diverse Groups and Justice Issues. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole, 2003).
• National Alliance for Hispanic Health. A primer for cultural proficiency towards quality health services for Hispanics.. Washington, D.C.: Health Resources and Services Administration and the Office of Minority Health of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2000.

More papers on Cultural Competency in Social Work:

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• Term Paper # 149094 : "Cultural Competence in Canadian Aboriginal Issues"

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