SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH DIVERSE GROUPS

Native American Clients Concept of Noninterference Withdrawal (emotional/physical) Changing the subject Pretending not to hear Lack of eye contact Meaning of a firm handshake Initial lack of trust Disrespect shown by questioning about personal life

African American Clients Unrealistic empathy Language barriers Eurocentric views of human behavior Focus on individuals Lack of attention to spirituality Lack of importance of emotions Rely on research findings not applicable to African Americans

Latino Clients Bilingual challenges Other challenges longstanding value systems ethnic backgrounds socioeconomic factors languages behavior patterns

Gay and Lesbian Clients Heterosexism of social workers Lack of knowledge Acceptance of stereotypes Fear of the unknown Debate over cause is irrelevant Other issues Coming out High suicide rate for adolescents Hate crimes Equal rights

Feminist Social Work Many of problems experienced by both men and women today are related to gender inequality: privileges power access to resources Male and female social workers must be aware of ways that gender shapes a client’s problem.

Knowledge Needed for Cross-Cultural Social Work Knowledge of Self No substitute for self-awareness Knowledge of Differences Cultural factors Other background factors History of client group Language of client group

Ethnic-Sensitive Practice Seeks to incorporate understanding of diverse ethnic, cultural, and minority groups into the theories and principles that guide social work practice. Based on the view that practice must be attuned to the values and dispositions related to clients’ ethnic group membership and social-class position. Requires social workers have an in-depth understanding of the effects of oppression on racial and ethnic groups.

Ethnic-Sensitive Practice All people are part of two systems (the dual-perspective): Dominant system which is the source of power and economic resources Nurturing system composed of the physical and social environment of family and community.

Ethnic-Sensitive Practice Social workers have an obligation to be aware of and to seek to redress the oppression experienced by ethnic groups. Introduces no new practice principles or approaches. It urges adaptation of prevailing therapies, social work principles, and skills to account of ethnic reality.

Ethnic-Sensitive Practice Regardless of which practice approach is used, empowerment and the strengths perspective should be emphasized.

Ethnic-Sensitive Practice Empowerment: The process of helping people increase their personal, interpersonal, socioeconomic, and political strength and influence toward improving their circumstances. It counters hopelessness, powerlessness, oppression and poverty.

Ethnic-Sensitive Practice Strengths Perspective: Seeks to identity, use, build, and reinforce individuals’ abilities and strengths, emphasizing their interests, aspirations, resources, beliefs, and accomplishments. This is in contrast to the pathological perspective, which focuses on deficiencies.

Macro Strategies to Promote Social Justice Social programs Mass media appeals Civil rights laws Activism School busing Affirmative action programs Minority-owned businesses Confronting jokes and actions Grassroots approaches to improving inner cities

Source Zastrow, C. (2003). The practice of social work. Pacific Grove, CA: Thomson Learning.