Module 8: The Cultural Context of Social Servicd Practice

Question 1

What is Anti-Oppressive Practice?

Answer 1

Anti-oppressive practices, like other forms of social justice oriented practice, are lenses for viewing the world, ways of asking questions and techniques for reaffirming social justice oriented social workers’ commitment to resist, expand resources to the oppressed, redistribute power and resist again in the new spaces and opportunities that open up as a result of that resistance

Question 2

What is ‘Social Location’?

Answer 2

The groups people belong to because of their place or position in history and society. All people have a social location that is defined by their gender, race, social class, age, ability, religion, sexual orientation, and geographic location. Each group membership confers a certain set of social roles and rules, power, and privilege (or lack of), which heavily influence our identity and how we see the world

Question 3

What is Cultural diversity?

Answer 3

The army of differences that exist among groups of people’s with definable and unique cultural backgrounds

Question 4

What is Culturally diverse?

Answer 4

Individuals who come from culturally different, diverse, or distinct backgrounds. Used synonymously with cross-cultural.

Question 5

What is a Cultural ally?

Answer 5

A white person who actively works to eliminate racism

Question 6

What is Ethnocentrism?

Answer 6

Assessing, interpreting and judging culturally diverse behaviour in relation to one’s own cultural standards. Such behaviours are acceptable to the extent that they are similar to one’s own cultural ways.

Question 7

What is Intersectionality?

Answer 7

The way various aspects of identity interact on multiple and often simultaneous levels; can include how identity interacts with multiple forms of oppression

Question 8

What is Cultural competence?

Answer 8

The ability to effectively provide services cross-culturally

Cultural competency has generally referred to race, ethnicity, nationality and language groups

Question 9

What is Diversity Competent?

Answer 9

The ability to work effectively with diverse populations in a manner that protects and preserves their dignity and recognizes, affirms, and values differences, similarities and worth

It takes it further than cultural competency to include all forms of diversity. It is a framework for achieving social equity and justice. If is a lifelong process of ‘becoming’.

Question 10

What are the three components of ‘Diversity Competent Practitioner’?

Answer 10

1. Building Awareness; self and others [Beginning: motivation]
2. Building Understanding; knowledge and attitude

3 Building Competency; practice, skills and experience [End: Action and Immersion]

Question 11

What are the 5 Culturally Competent Skills Access?

Answer 11

1. Awareness and acceptance
2. Self awareness
3. Dynamics and difference
4. Knowledge of client’s culture
5. Adaption of skills

Question 12

What are the levels of Cultural Competence?

Answer 12

1. Cultural destructiveness
2. Cultural incapacity
3. Cultural blindness
4. Cultural pre-competence
5. Basic cultural competence
6. Cultural proficiency

Question 13

What is Traditional Healing?

Answer 13

• Views human capacities holistically
• Considers spirituality as a basis to health and well being
• Indigenous healers are more active and take a more major role and responsibility in the healing process

Question 14

What is Western Healing?

Answer 14

• Distinguish among physical, spiritual and mental well being
• Helping occurs through cognitive and emotional change
• Helpers tend to be passive in their interventions

Question 15

What is Hay’s Addressing Framework?

Answer 15

An acronym developed by Pamela Hay that summarizes various aspects of cultural identity that may impact a client’s behaviour

Question 16

Hay’s Addressing Framework; Two categories of cross cultural work: What is Personal work?

Answer 16

Involved the therapist’s introspection, self-exploration and an understanding of the influences of culture on one’s own brief system and worldview

Question 17

Hay’s Addressing Framework; Two categories of cross cultural work: What is Interpersonal work?

Answer 17

Focuses on the professional’s learning about and from other cultures, which usually involves interpersonal experiences

Question 18

Hay’s Addressing Framework: What makes up the word ‘Addressing’?

Answer 18

Age and generational influence

Developmental disabilities

Disabilities acquired later in life

Religion and spiritual orientation

Ethnic and racial identity

Socioeconomic status

Sexual orientation

Indigenous heritage

National origin

Gender

Question 19

What 3 ways can Hay’s Addressing Framework be used?

Answer 19

1. The counselor can use the model to evaluate their own biases and explore areas where they may lack experience
2. Increase awareness of the ism’s affecting people as a means to gain an increase understanding of the connections between racism, sexism and other forms of oppression
3. By examining a particular group though the lens of the model, the tendency to make generalizations or hold inaccurate biases may be decreased

Question 20

What is Oppression?

Answer 20

The domination of subordinate groups in society through prejudice, discrimination, and access to political, economic, social and cultural power.

Oppression is exemplified by specific manifestations of racism, sexism, classism, ableism, ageism, heterosexism, anti-demotion, and religious discrimination.