CHAPTER 15 Diversity and Stress

DIVERSITY My perspective… It is not my intent to impose my… People of minority (people of color, the elderly, the disabled) often excel, BUT IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS despite the odds being stacked against them

RACE AND ETHNICITY Minority – a racial, ethnic, or religious group smaller than and differing from the larger, CONTROLLING group Race and Ethnicity What is the difference between these terms?

RACE & ETHNICITY cont. Race – a group of people with similar PHYSICAL TRAITS, blood types, genetics and inherited characteristics Ethnicity – a group of people with a common heritage, customs, language, and history BUT STILL TOO MUCH…

MINORITIES AND STRESS A quote from your book, “…minorities in the United States of America, and probably elsewhere in the world, are disadvantaged in significant ways that result in a great deal of stress.” “Color of Fear”

MINORITIES AND STRESS cont Racism=>Stress=>Health problems (heart disease, stroke, cancer, etc.) Hate crimes and/or the possibility=>Stress=>… Acculturation (know def.) – examples black boys/girls not looking auth. figure… Hispanics interpret direct gaze as… Touching and “close talking” (Seinfeld)…

MINORITY AND STRESS cont. Acculturation cont. – children… Language Barrier – employment and/or income despite…

MINORITIES, HEALTH, & STRESS Infant Mortality rates – higher for blacks b/c pregnant women: Obtain prenatal care later – Why? More likely to live in Poverty – Why? Generally “less educated” – Why?

MINORITIES, HEALTH, & STRESS cont. Life expectancy is 9.6 yrs. shorter for black males and 5.8 yrs. shorter for black females Guys… Ladies…

MINORITIES, HEALTH, & STRESS cont. Table 15.2 on page 257, causes of death - homicide

MINORITIES, EDUCATION, & STRESS “Across all ethnic and cultural groups…, the higher the educational level, the better the health status. And, since higher educational level is associated with higher income, poverty is also a cause of poor health.”

EMPLOYMENT Awareness of self and surroundings If you work now… If not, when you do…

HOMELESSNESS & STRESS Domestic Violence and Unemployment/Minimum Wage Employ. In urban areas, almost half of homeless people… In rural areas, homeless people are mostly… Why is this?

FAMILY DYNAMICS, MINORITIES, & STRESS Most minority families do not live in the higher socioeconomic levels More $=>afford day care, no worry about food & shelter, afford health care=>Less Stress=>More “Intact” Families Less $=>struggle to afford basics for survival=>More Stress=>More Broken Homes

FAMILY DYNAMICS, MINORITIES, & STRESS cont. Or could it be… What would you do? I have friends in England…

FAMILY DYNAMICS, MINORITES, & STRESS cont. Imagine living w/ only 1 parent (or other relative), living in poverty, having “less education”, AND/OR being discriminated against ALL BEFORE YOU EVEN BEGIN TO DEAL WITH INTRAPERSONAL STRESS

FOOD FOR THOUGHT “Anyone who has ever helped people in need (any minority) knows the feeling experienced by doing the helping. When we behave in a discriminatory fashion, we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to have this feeling and are thereby less happy, proud, and self-respectful than we might be.” Helping others as a Stress Mgmt. & Relief