Sum2501

Part 1:

1A: Discussion #1- 10 pts (130-145 words). What are some of the social norms that counselors need to take into consideration while working with multicultural issues associated with older people? Why are these significant/relevant? Also, respond to at least two other classmates' posts. Provide evidence of content knowledge and critical thought. These should be well thought out and comprehensive.

1B: Respond to two students: (45-60 words) Student 1: T.B.

There are a lot of culturally relevant social norms that counselors need to consider when working with older populations. One that immediately comes to mind is privacy and possible discomfort with disclosing personal information. Some older adults might view the fairly standard questions a counselor might ask as being invasive or too personal and a counselor needs to be sensitive to that when asking these questions.

Another think that I also think of as it comes up a lot at work is literacy and education. Older adults may have a limited education regarding counseling and they may have a low "emotional literacy" meaning that younger individuals have grown up with more readily available and disclosed mental health services. Counseling and therapy, while it still has some stigma, has not been nearly as stigmatized as it may have been for older populations, this stigma may limit an individual's interaction with the practices and discussions surrounding counseling.

Student 2: S.C.

A counselor’s comprehension of both social norms and cultural implications impacts the efficacy of treatment. Social norms that counselors need to develop awareness and understanding of include status, roles, expectations, issues of respect, views of death, appropriate communication styles, and spirituality (Kampfe, 2015). The introduction of cultural practices does not simply add more to the list of a client’s social norms; It changes the language with which the client communicates with others and receives information. Some cultural expectations for a provider-client relationship are to be friendly, open, and to include casual conversation, while others require more distinct rules and formal communication. Should either cultural expectation be met with the opposite treatment, the client is likely to experience discomfort and the development of the therapeutic alliance may be slower paced than originally expected. It should be noted that comprehension of social norms and cultural implications does not equate to knowing typical defining features of a named culture, such as generalized understandings or stereotypes of the culture. Culture is a part of a person and should be handled similarly to how belief systems are incorporated in counseling. Counselors attempt to adopt the perspective and worldview of the client to better navigate treatment from that position, which also requires excluding worldviews of those that are not the client. This implies that a client may have differing beliefs from their parents, though they are part of the same culture. As with any client, counseling older adults requires cultural competency and knowledge of societal norms that are applicable to the client. With older adults specifically, there is distinct positioning in society and within cultures that cannot be ignored. Our textbook discusses the status of older adults varying from being of highest value to being without value, simply based on age (Kampfe, 2015). This impacts a client’s self-perception (Kampfe , 2015) and perceived power to change the client’s own life, which undoubtedly directs the treatment process in counseling.

Kampfe, C.M., (2015).  Counseling Older People: Opportunities and Challenges. American Counseling Association.

Part 2: Cultural Awareness Exercise (Who Am 12) The purpose of this exercise is to help you understand your own culture and how it might influence your interactions with older people of other cultures.

1. Write a one- to three-page description of your own culture. Focus on your own culture's meanings, customs, rules of communication, conception of time, spirituality, traditions, understanding of healing, and collectivism versus individualism. Include your culture's view of older people (status, roles, expectations, respect) and the kinds of things that happen to older people that might be unique to your culture. 2. Consider how these aspects of your culture might, in some ways, influence your response to, and understanding of, older people of another culture. 3. List strategies that you can use to help you become more aware of your own culture and of the cultures of the older consumers you will likely serve. 4. If you have the opportunity, discuss the results of this activity with fellow counselors, friends, family, or people from other cultures.

**Background about me**

I identify as an African American middle-class man from the Southern United States. My culture is strongly influenced by family, faith, community, and respect for others. Growing up in the South, I learned the importance of hospitality, strong family connections, and treating elders with respect. Family gatherings, church involvement, shared meals, and community support are common parts of my cultural experience. Communication in my culture is often warm, expressive, and relationship-focused. Storytelling, humor, and personal connections are valued.