Discussion 2: Reflecting on Cultural Humility and Ethical Competence

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Working with Families

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Family dynamics are extensive patterns of interaction in a family that significantly impact childhood to adulthood choices of a family member that can be trickled down from generation to generation. Family dynamics significantly impact most areas of our lives, and understanding them leads to an emotionally healthy life (Davies et al., 2019). There are two types of dynamic family patterns: the health and the unhealthy dynamic, and at times, parents may not have an idea of the pattern or how to address it. In the Singh family case, Mr. and Mrs. Singh are bonded by the firm belief in the traditional ways of arranged marriage they underwent and hope that they will experience the same tradition, which I consider to an unhealthy dynamic. Despite the hopes in their daughters, Amani, the eldest daughter, is impregnated by his African American boyfriend and put in a dilemma on whether to abort the child, knowing that both families would not agree on the relationship.

The substantial control of arranged married to Amani by her parents leads to her having a secret relationship with an African American boyfriend due to fear of introducing her boyfriend to the family. Amani feared that if she tells her parents about his African American boyfriend, they may reject him because it is against the culture of arranged marriage and due to his skin color. Therefore, their relationship whereby each has a different cultural background will encounter opposing values which will be an obstacle to their marriage. As culture defines the quality of life we live in, it is also essential to consider one's happiness and not just follow the culture blindly, leading to suffering and problems in the future (Bhandary, 2018).

According to human service professionals, it states that an individual should be knowledgeable about his culture and the community within his practice. Culture should be respected; hence both Amani and her boyfriend should not abort their child, and they should both represent each other to the parent who will advise them both on the best way to deal with the issue.

As modernization continues, many young people choose their spouses based on individual compatibility or love, which is commonly depicted in the mass media other than an arranged marriage. Amani and his boyfriend prefer idealism of found love rather than arranged marriage which may lead to a divorce. My ethical responsibility to the Singh family is that it should be ready to support the daughter on the matter concerning her marriage and not just judge a person by their color. Due to modernization, instead of abandoning one's culture, young women and men are increasingly working together with the parents to choose the right spouse, leading to a decrease in parental arranged marriages.

Reference

Davies, P. T., & Coe, J. L. (2019). Family relationship dynamics: A developmental perspective.

Bhandary, A. (2018). Arranged Marriage: Could It Contribute To Justice?. Journal of Political Philosophy, 26(2), 193-215.