Chapter 2 Culture Objectives: Define culture Describe the difference between beliefs and values State how culture is relevant to nursing practice List and describe four common ethnic groups Identify the basic components in a cultural assessment

Culture Terms Beliefs Values Norms Folkways Laws Mores Sanctions Symbols BELIEFS: the truths held by a culture’s people. One’s beliefs determine and influence how one deals with and views social problems and concerns. Beliefs also influence our behavior and concerns about health, illness, and death. Woman’s roles and child-rearing practices are also governed by cultural beliefs. VALUES: DEEPLY EMBEDDED FEELINGS THAT DETERMINE WHAT IS CONSIDERED GOOD OR BAD, RIGHT OR WRONG. Cultural values give individuals direction and foundation for their decisions and actions. Values also provide a sense of stability and security. NORMS: Socially accepted rules and behavior that guide an individual’s behavior and interactions within the culture. Norms also determine the role of each family member by age, gender, or ranking. Norms can be described in three ways: Folkways – customs within the culture that determine how we greet each other (handshake, or kiss) Laws – written policies supported and enforced by the government. Breaking the law carries specific punishment Mores – moral beliefs that are strongly held by members of the culture. Failure to abide by these mores may lead to ostracism from the cultural group. (incest and child abuse are examples of strong beliefs or mores) SANCTIONS: Social remedies for violating any of the norms. These may be positive – reward or honor for a person or negative – disapproval for violating the norm and may lead to imprisonment SYMBOLS: Expressions such as language, gestures, or objects that people within a culture use to communicate with each other. Symbols can have different meanings among different cultures.

Race Racial group members share similar physical characteristics Skin color Hair texture Facial shape Body shape and size Race and ethnicity can determine out socioeconomic status. Biological researchers once believed that race genetically isolated people. Recent research disputes this belief or racial isolation and supports a theory that there are no pure or distinct races because inbreeding and migration patterns throughout the ages have blended all people. Theorists suggest that differences such as skin color are a result of or adaptation to physical elements such as climate and sun. In regions with warm climates, dark skin tones are the result of an increase in pigmentation and melanin and help protect the skin from the sun’s rays. In colder climates, less protections is needed; hence, skin 8is lighter in color. Racial categories emphasize physical characteristics rather than cultural differences. Children are not one with prejudice; Instead, they have a natural innocence and curiosity. This curiosity leads them to become aware of differences in race and color as early as age 3

Ethnicity Ethnic group members share Language Diet Customs Music and dance Family structure and roles Religious beliefs or practices

Culture in Health Care Transcultural nursing: a way of viewing patients as belonging to one world with many cultures Ethnocentrism: belief that one’s cultural values and patterns of behavior are superior Cultural relativism: refers to learning and applying another person’s cultural standard to each situation

Major U.S. Cultural Groups Hispanic American African American European American Asian American Arab American

Cultural Assessment in the Health-Care Setting Ethnic and racial origin Language Family roles Use of communication Beliefs about medicine, pregnancy, and healing Dietary preferences

Cultural Barriers to Health Care Language barriers Lack of health insurance Knowledge deficit Reluctance to question health provider Adherence to old cultural practices

Religion Religion defined Religion serves basic needs Defines spirituality Gives meaning to incomprehensible events Gives sense of hope Defines rituals and rites of passage Reduces social isolation Promotes healthy behavior Encourages the family unit

Chapter Challenge Define ethnocentric What areas are part of a person’s cultural assessment? Name common cultural barriers to health care List how religion meets a person’s basic needs