Chapter 13 Profiles of Culturally Competent Care with Biracial/Multiracial, Latino/Hispanic, and Immigrant/Refugee Populations Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)

Biracial/Multiracial Individuals 2000 U.S. Census allowed people to check more than one box NAACP believes this will dilute their constituents Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)

Biracial/Multiracial Individuals Antimiscegenation laws (race mixing) were lifted in 1967 Approximately 6% of U.S. population is multiracial 30-70% of African Americans are multiracial Most frequent combination is Euro-Americans and Asians Racial/ethnic ambiguity constantly present Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)

Biracial/Multiracial Individuals “Identity purgatory” existing in the margins of several worlds but is not included in any Myths and stereotypes: Considered inferior Interracial couples considered unstable and unhappy, and/or deficient Whites may be seen as experimenting with the “exotic” African American men are a threat to White women Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)

Social Work Implications—working with Biracial/Multiracial Individuals Multiracial individuals may experience identity conflicts Social workers inadvertently impose monoracial categories Multiracial person may feel invalidated and experience conflicting loyalties Parents of multiracial children may fail to understand challenges encountered by children Social worker needs to see multiracial people in a holistic fashion Multiracial strengths: ability to relate to more diverse groups, greater tolerance of others, build diverse alliances Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)

Latino/Hispanic Americans Largest minority group in U.S. Diversity of groups Young population—9 years younger than Whites Many individuals suffer from poverty, underemployment, and substandard housing Many are overweight and have physical ailments Farm workers’ infant mortality rate—25% Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)

Latino/Hispanic Americans Familismo—importance, respect, loyalty and primacy of family Strictness of childrearing Highly religious (Catholicism) 71% have 2 married parents Traditional families are hierarchal Sex roles are clearly delineated Older children take care of younger children Machismo—male dominance Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)

Latino/Hispanic Americans May experience acculturation conflicts Very high drop out rates Spanish primary language Racism and discrimination lead to adjustment disorders Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)

Social Work Implications—working with Latino/Hispanic Americans Utilize extended family resources Assess the structure of the family Help family deal with role changes and conflict Determine the importance of religious/spiritual beliefs Help teachers adapt to different learning styles Many parents feel they have no right to question social workers—do not interpret as disrespect Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)

Immigrants/Refugees Comprise 10% of U.S. population Come from non-European countries (e.g. Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, etc.) Refugee’s may experience survivor's guilt (escaping but leaving others behind) Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)

Immigrants/Refugees Migration is traumatic Refugee’s may have experienced hardship during their journey (e.g. women alone may have been raped) Sources of stress: Citizenship status Isolation from family and social group Language barriers Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)

Immigrants/Refugees May lack a formal education Refugee’s may have an impaired memory Cultural differences (e.g. interaction styles, food, habits, dress, etc.) Skills transfer may not be applicable Acculturation stressors Discrimination/racism May be reluctant to seek services Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)

Social Work Implications—working with Immigrants/Refugees Inquire about preimmigration circumstances Attend to differences between voluntary and involuntary immigrants Reluctance to self-disclose may be due to exploitation, marginalization, imperialism, etc. May misdiagnose aggressive behaviors Employment challenges may result in role changes within the family Bridge acculturation and generational issues Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (13)