As A Social Worker, You May Not Often Have The Ability To Se
As A Social Worker You May Not Often Have The Ability To Select Your
As a social worker, you may not often have the ability to select your clients. Social workers must be able to work within a variety of cross-cultural settings and possess the skills to provide focused interventions to diverse populations. As a Walden student, you will often be asked to reflect on culturally sensitive approaches and ways that you would apply them to specific situations. By Day 7, submit a 5- to 7-minute video using Kaltura Media in which you respond to the following:
Part A: Introduction
Provide an innovative introduction of yourself. Include your name and any interesting background information related to your ethnicity and/or any other aspects of your identification. In your introduction, describe a diverse population that you would like to work with or that you currently work with.
Part B: Definitions and Applications
In social work education and practice, you will often encounter a variety of definitions. Below, you will find twelve words associated with the concept of diversity and difference in practice. For this section, provide a working definition for two of the following terms. Then, describe how a vulnerable/diverse population might experience the word that you have selected.
For example, you may select “Marginalization.” You will discuss how a specific population has experienced this. Be specific.
Options include:
- Bias
- Oppression
- Marginalization
- Ethnicity
- Gender Identity and Expression
- Privilege
- Social Justice
- Cultural Awareness
- Diversity
- Intersectionality
- Cultural Humility
- Empathy
Part C: Developing Cultural Humility
As you consider your future path in the profession, what are some strategies that you would incorporate to develop your own sense of cultural humility to ensure culturally respectful practice? Discuss two practical strategies.
It is highly recommended that you write a script before recording your video. A good guide for translating the length of your written script into video time is about 135 words per minute.
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Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
My name is Jane Doe, and I am a graduate student in social work at Walden University. I come from an ethnically diverse background—my mother is originally from Nigeria, and my father is of Irish descent. Growing up in a multicultural neighborhood enriched my understanding of different cultural perspectives and fostered a deep appreciation for diversity. I am particularly interested in working with refugee populations, as I believe they face unique challenges related to trauma, acculturation, and legal barriers. My goal is to support vulnerable groups in navigating social services and advocating for their rights while respecting their cultural identities and experiences.
Part B: Definitions and Applications
1. Intersectionality
Working Definition: Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how various social identities such as race, gender, class, and sexuality intersect to create unique experiences of privilege and oppression for individuals. It recognizes that these identities do not operate independently but are interconnected, shaping a person’s overall social experience.
Application to a Population:
Refugee women from Middle Eastern countries often face multiple layers of marginalization. They may experience cultural oppression due to gender roles dictated by their communities, compounded by racial discrimination in the host country, and economic vulnerability due to limited employment opportunities. This intersectionality influences their access to healthcare, legal services, and social support, making it essential for social workers to understand these intersecting identities to provide effective, culturally sensitive interventions.
2. Cultural Humility
Working Definition: Cultural humility is an ongoing process of self-reflection and self-critique that aims to recognize one’s own biases and limitations in understanding others' cultural experiences. It emphasizes lifelong learning and the importance of viewing clients as experts on their own lives.
Application to a Population:
For marginalized LGBTQ+ youth, cultural humility involves acknowledging societal biases they face related to their gender identity or sexual orientation. By adopting an attitude of openness, social workers can create a safe space for these youth, respecting their self-identification and experiences. Recognizing one's limitations and actively seeking to learn from clients fosters trust and promotes empowerment.
Part C: Developing Cultural Humility
To develop my own sense of cultural humility, I plan to implement two practical strategies. First, I will engage in continuous education through workshops, seminars, and reading diverse literature about different cultures and social identities. This ongoing learning process will help me stay informed and critically evaluate my biases. Second, I will practice active listening during client interactions, allowing clients to share their lived experiences without judgment. By genuinely listening and validating their perspectives, I can build stronger therapeutic relationships rooted in respect and trust. These strategies will help me remain open-minded and responsive to the cultural needs of the populations I serve.
References
- Baker, T., & McKinney, K. (2017). Cultural humility in social work practice. Journal of Social Work Values & Practice, 14(2), 154-164.