Cultural Inclusion Immigration
Understanding the Challenges of Cultural Diversity as a Practitioner
Introduction
Understanding other cultural values, beliefs, and attitudes, in an era where public policy and discrimination play a major role in adaptation of other values and systems. Amalgamation of cultural differences is a focal point in this article, with emphasis on inclusion. Attitudes from policy makers and the public perspectives recognize diversity exists in today's society and implement positive changes. The reality of multiculturalism in the United States exists and continues its growth in population. The challenge becomes individual response to multiculturalism, and the desire to understand a society filled not simply with diverse cultures, nevertheless with human beings deserving of respect and the right to prosper. As practitioners an essential portion of treatment, is that of understanding other cultural belief systems.
Defining Cultural Relativism in Relationship to Inclusion
Anthropological and historical views of cultural relativism presented by (Ulin, 2007) are research-based approach to diversity and critical thinking. Representing his perspective of a modern day approach of culture, from a political and social viewpoint, (Ulin, 2007) addresses the social, political, and ethical aspects of cultural relativisms regarding inequalities. The main theme of this theory implies an appreciator for differing cultural meaning of their social world and practices. Communication is a valid factor of discrimination and biases, simply due to lack of understanding, even though the meanings are similar. Frequently, the usage of communication as being the universal language, as a society this concept seems to have dissipated. This concept of universality is an argument of relativism or perhaps interpretation of cultural meaning.
Geertz, (1973) though not a recent publication points out the need for a systemic view of a divers culture one that incorporates the disciplines of “biological, psychological sociological” (Geertz, 1973, p. 44) factors in to the equation differing thoughts and patterns of other cultures. This philosophical view of decades of social and cultural issues and relationships is not a new theory, a change perhaps simplification and revitalization of modern philosophy. Promoting change in a self-absorbed society represents open-mindedness in terms of cultural differences, even the issue of immigrants, and a factual growing culture in the United States. The rationale of human nature is to resist change, therefore it is conceivable adjusting to multicultural diversity takes time, and inclusion takes effort, understanding, and communication.
Contrasting Views of Cultural Differences and Immigration
Frequently lack of understanding other cultural languages, beliefs, rituals an heritage, becomes the obstacle of inclusion. Naylor, (1997) summarizes orientation of diversity involves individual understanding and experiences and interaction with diverse cultures. For example, family morals, values, and attitudes towards persons from other cultures are a crucial entity in terms of generational attitudes towards persons of race, color, and religious beliefs. Negativity and judgmental beliefs handed down from generations, is significant to the conflicts that occur in the United States. Attitudes such as this is our country we are “Americans” this is our heritage, other persons of cultural differences invade our territory utilize our socioeconomic resources. Perhaps self-evaluation of heritage is questionable in terms of our own heritage. For example, the heritage of my background is a multiplex value and mixture of French, Cajun, and Cherokee, originally my decedents came from France and Canada, not exactly Americana. Our decedents all migrated to this country called America, so quickly to forget heritage and judge others, when conceivably the possibility that the majority of the population are all decedents of immigrants a unique culture.
Globalization and Cultural Humanity
In essence, culture is a body of people, evaluating behaviors, in an environment that tends to be a continuum of complexities of social issues and distinctive ideas of diversity (Naylor, 1997). In addition, consideration of individual rights of all people pertains to the freedom of speech, Binderup, (2007) refers to the controversial issues of citizenship, equality, and autonomy of cultural differences. Binderup (2007) suggests a moral reasoning of cultural expression and beliefs, how the media influences frequent negativity especially in face of multicultural issues in the United States. The premise of freedom of speech is an American concepts established by the ancestors of this country. Meaningful communication among diverse groups is an important element to inclusion. Granted multi-languages make this a difficult task; obtaining some type of communication can provide harmony in the face of diversity.
Future research studies of a legacy left behind
The prospect of cohesiveness of a united culture is a challenge, which policy makers need to address, since an increased diversified population continues its growth in America (Deaux, 2006). The importance of cohesiveness as a legacy is in educating a younger generation that inclusion is necessary to thrive in a healthy society. Literature explores the necessity of understanding and accepting multicultural America, methods of finding a common goal among people in a complex society. If every individual person communicated and expressed compassion and tried to understand one another perhaps, change in a diverse society is not impossible or unrealistic.
Conclusion: Making a difference as scholar practitioners
Essential to the therapeutic setting is becoming knowledgeable about cultural differences, providing information to parents in this case of the appropriate guidelines and expectation of this society. Problems occur when helping professionals lack of “understanding acculturation, problems etiology, and treatment goals might result in the delivery of ineffective or culturally irrelevant services” Hage, Kindaichi, Bryant, & Constantine, (2007, p.26. Amalgamation from a social perspective involves education, individual awareness for change to occur. Practitioners encountering multiculturalism on a daily basis, presenting a positive non- biased approach to therapy elicits change in oneself and others.
References
Binderup, L. (2007). Global freedom of speech. Trames: a Journal of the Humanities & Social Sciences, 11(4), 403-418.
Deaux, K. (2006). A nation of immigrants: Living our legacy. Journal of Social Psychology, 62(3), 633-651.
Geertz, C. (1973). The Intrepertation of Cultures. New York: Basic Books.
Hage, S., Kindaichi, M. M., Bryant, R. M., & Constantine, M. G. (2007). Social justice and multicultural issues: Implications for the practice and training of counselors and counseling psychologist. Journal of Counseling and Development, 85(1), 24-29.
Naylor, L. L. (1997). Cultural Diversity in the United States. Westport, CT: Greenwood publishing Group Inc.
Ulin, R. C. (Ed.). (2007). Revisiting cultural relativism: Old prospects for a new cultural critique [Special section]. Anthropoligical Quarterly, 80, 803-820.
We provide a professional essay writing service that thousands of our customers use as an effective way of improving their grades, improving their research and saving them lots of time.
