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Resources
for transcultural work
Whether you work in health care,
education or social services, the importance of developing some degree of cultural
competence in your work is essential. Demographics illustrate the rapid change in our
society. Census data reports that, by 2050, nearly half of all those in the United States
will be from a non-white, non-anglo culture.
Those who have the knowledge and
ability to work within an increasingly diverse society will be in the best position to
gain employment. Cultural knowledge and awareness, multi-lingual ability and a true skill
in working with people from other cultures will be sought after.
Those who work in human services are
well aware of the interface with culture and medicine. Misunderstandings due to a lack of
cultural awareness are used as examples in our education. My first year of social work
training involved some strong discussions by professors of the damage that can be done to
those of other cultures that come in contact with an insensitive "system."
Particularly moving examples I remember include the story of a young Hispanic man who was
taken (against his will) to a mental hospital for observation after being seen walking on
his knees praying with a branch in his teeth. Anyone who has seen the devoted pilgrims
approach the Basilica of the
Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City
on their knees (some bleeding) would understand
that this behavior was most likely not due to psychosis.
Another story often told is the story
of a Vietnamese family in an emergency room with a feverish child. Are the red round marks
on his skin the result of abuse or the parent's use of cao gio (coin rubbing) to relieve
the child of his symptoms? In this case a diagnosis of abuse would have not been
appropriate.
There are subtle indicators of
cultural incompatibility... when things just don't feel right. About.com's
Former Guide to
African-American Culture, Jeneen Jones, in her article, "Working While Black,"
points out that she can sense when she will be comfortable in a work environment and when
she will not. She recommends doing a "walk through" to get a sense of the
culture of the workplace before taking a position. Sadly, she concludes, "Sure, there
are both good and bad people in every color and in every company. In addition, I fully
admit that black people can be just as annoying to our own kind as others are to us. For
me, though, work is a much better place when I can look around and smile, seeing plenty of
other black faces smiling right back at me."
It is important for us all to read
about all the cultures that make up our communities, get to know people of other cultures,
ask questions to learn more and develop an honest interest in becoming culturally skilled.
As a start, the resources in this article will lead you in the right direction!
Best of the Net
Resources:
Diversity Rx
Promoting language and cultural competence to improve the quality of health care for
minority, immigrant, and ethnically diverse communities.
Multi-Cultural Mental Health - Australia
EthnoMed:
Topics in Cross-Cultural Health Care
An excellent compilation of resources from the University of Washington.
Transcultural and
Multi-Cultural Health Links
New Mexico State University Library
More Social
Work and Social Issues Articles
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