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Multiculturalism: Implications for Culturally Competent Social Work Practice

Summer I S S U E

A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

“With multiculturalism’s focus on the interrelationships between race, class, gender, ethnicity, and age, the social work profession can produce the next generation of practitioners who are not only competent in working within communities of color but also cognizant of differential impact of social policies on diverse client populations” (Lee, E., & McRoy R. (2008a) p. 280.

Introduction In the United States, there has been a continued population demographic shift, with an increase of people of color from diverse cultures and ethnic identities. Many of these families who seek social services are poor, immigrants, or survivors of generations of racism and discrimination. For many social workers, this change in demographics can mean increased exposure to the complexities and richness of diverse experiences and needs which are reflected in caseloads, communities, and work places.

Simultaneously—for social workers, organizations, and communities—these experiences with culturally diverse populations present both challenges and opportunities for personal, professional, organizational and

community growth. Culturally competent practices must be integral parts in the provision of services, agency operations, and policies. By understanding the perspective from which families view the world, as well as the elements of culture and cultural-specific variables, social workers can deliver appropriate services amidst the complex issues presented within a multicultural context.

Demographic Changes According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it is estimated that by 2060, Hispanics will represent the greatest immigration population in the U.S. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). It is also projected that immigration to the Unites States by people from Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America will increase. This projected growth increases the likelihood that social workers will experience an influx of diverse populations within their practices and workplace settings.

Implications of the Increases in Immigrant Populations to the U.S. The immigrant populations entering the U.S. represent a wide variety and range of backgrounds: some may be from regions with high rates of poverty; some have experienced the tragedies of terror, genocide, and war; some speak another language other than

Rita Webb, MSW Senior Prac t i ce Assoc ia te

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The National Association of Social Workers

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Suite 700

Washington, DC 20002-4241

SocialWorkers.org

Practice Perspectives Summer August 2014

The NASW Code of

Ethics provides

guidance to social

workers regarding

their work with

multicultural

individuals, families

and communities by

identifying core

values, principles,

and standards that

supports work with

diverse clients and

communities.

English; while others are predominately people of color who encounter misdirected biases and discrimination. The nation’s intention to accept various groups’ cultural and racial differences is often overshadowed by racial intolerance, mistrust, misunderstanding, and misconceptions about religion, ethnicity and cultural backgrounds. This dynamic has evolved into a mixed societal and political reaction to multiculturalism that ranges from sustained negativity towards diversity to welcoming and appreciating the contributions these differences can make to this country. Too often, however, these multicultural populations confront barriers and access to services because of their limited English proficiency (LEP). Increasingly, with demographic changes in people, families and communities, multiculturalism is an ideal that must be realized within the framework of social work practice and attitudes.

Multiculturalism in Context Throughout the early history of the U.S., multiculturalism concepts were often negatively viewed, as illustrated by the exploitation of Native Americans, forcible enslavement of Africans brought to this country, and subsequently with the later arrival of immigrant populations (Lee, E. & McRoy, R. (2008b). During the Civil Rights movement, however, racial and economic inequities were core factors that advanced multiculturalism approaches towards the recognition and valuing of diversity.

Multiculturalism is defined “as an ideology that suggests that society should consist of, or at least recognize and include with equal status, diverse cultural groups” (Sue, 2006). The NASW Code of Ethics provides guidance to social workers regarding their work with multicultural individuals, families and communities by identifying core values, principles, and standards that supports work with diverse clients and communities. To provide services in a multicultural context, social workers can first examine their own individual cultures and “how these impact their personal and professional lives, including their self-awareness, knowledge, and skills.”p. 18 (Ahmed, S., Wilson, K, Henriksen, R, Jones J. (2010). Through this reflective process, social workers can open themselves to realizing the multicultural attributes of diverse people.

Cultural diversity is a fundamental principle of multiculturalism. Through a multicultural orientation

there is an opportunity to: “broaden representation of perspectives, world views, lifestyles, language, and communication skills and increase understanding, recognition and appreciation of these diversity factors to better work with clients served by the agencies.” (Social Work Encyclopedia, 2008). As shifts in the United States’ population are heavily influenced by immigration and the increased birth rates of racial and ethnic groups, social workers will need to prepare for increased population diversity within individuals, families and communities. (Congress, E. & Kung, W. 2013)

Social Workers and a Multiculturalism Approach Teaching and learning from a multiculturalism perspective increases knowledge, awareness and understanding about race, ethnicity, gender, and immigrant populations, and is likely to contribute to culturally competent social work practice. With the continuous growth of numbers of culturally diverse individuals and groups of people, social workers will be challenged in their ability to meet the multicultural needs of a diverse society. Cultural competence considerations included in multicultural practice include:

• Social workers need to be aware of their own values and biases

• Social workers need to be aware of the client’s world view

• Social worker need to be able to deliver culturally appropriate interventions

In order for social workers to provide culturally informed services, they must integrate their attitudes; knowledge; and skills into practice. (Kohli, H, Huber, R, Faul, A., 2010). In an advocacy capacity, social workers can be essential to responding to and facilitating the cooperation between mainstream sociocultural attitudes and the populations seeking acceptance and recognition.

Social Work Ethics and Multiculturalism Three standards are identified under section 1.05 Cultural Competence and Social Diversity of the NASW Code of Ethics and they include:

• Social workers should understand culture and its function in human behavior and society, recognizing the strengths that exist in all cultures

• Social workers should have a knowledge base of their clients’ culture and be able to

demonstrate competence in the provision of services that are sensitive to clients’ cultures and to differences among people and cultural groups.

• Social workers should obtain education about and seek to understand the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, and mental or physical disability. (NASW Code of Ethics, 2008).

Practical Tips For Social Workers to Consider in a Multicultural Practice Social workers will need to avoid the misconception that one intervention fits all as well as failing to integrate the role and influence of culture into services and interventions. For example, many established and new immigrants retain religious and cultural beliefs that are essential to them. It is, therefore, equally essential that social workers are open to discussing and learning about these beliefs and their influence on the person’s life.

Social workers need to recognize some common barriers to and errors in the delivery of culturally competent services such as:

• evaluation and practices that do not consider culture, religion and secularism can increase the likelihood of inadequate and possible ill-considered treatment interventions and services

• consideration of possible cultural attitudes in seeking treatment

• an unprepared social work workforce

Self-Assessment Tool for Cultural Competence: A starting point for social workers can be to use a simple cultural competence self-assessment tool. The questions can help social workers probe into their own personal thoughts, biases, and agencies barriers in delivering cultural competent services to multicultural population groups. Self- assessment is often seen as a way for personnel and organizations to enhance and improve agency services and ultimately measurable outcomes.

In an advocacy

capacity, social

workers can be

essential to

responding to and

facilitating the

cooperation between

mainstream

sociocultural attitudes

and the populations

seeking acceptance

and recognition.

PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ELEMENTS OF CULTURAL COMPETENCE