The NASW Code of Ethics that is used by social workers emphasizes that every professional must reveal cultural competence in practice. That is why I agree with the fact that being a student body, we must pay enormous attention to this concept (NASW Illinois Chapter, 2014). It is important for us, as for social workers, to provide our clients with the assistance that is aligned with their beliefs and ideas so that their condition improves but not worsens. The representatives of various countries have different cultures that reveal their background, which was influenced by numerous factors. That is why it is impossible to treat all of them in the same manner.
Understanding how culture influences people’s behavior, attitudes, and decisions, professionals obtain an opportunity to approach every client so that he/she accepts assistance and does not resist it. Outstanding professionals underline that “social workers must remember that the ultimate goal of any social work intervention is to serve, not to colonize” (“Culturally grounded methods,” n.d., p. 278).
It means that if a person’s views based on his/her culture do not coincide with the ideas of a social worker, one should not try to alter it but should develop an intervention that can satisfy the client’s needs and demands. In this way, the representatives of the individualistic cultures who generally believe that it is shameful to ask social workers for assistance should be taught that there is nothing bad in such consultation, and their intervention should be based on the individual work.
In other words, a person should be taught of how he/she can improve the situation without no or at least limited additional assistance. On the other hand, the representatives of the collectivistic cultures are usually more willing to accept those services that are focused on the cooperation with family members and friends so that they feel more comfortable.
In addition to that, churches can be considered as providers of assistance on physical and spiritual levels, which is similar to the job social workers do. Of course, not all people are spiritual, but those who often feel better if they approach churches instead of other interventions. Fortunately, today churches often cooperate with various organizations, which provides them with the opportunity to improve people’s condition. They can teach the representatives of the general public to be independent or offer them help in approaching other professionals. As a result, churches can help people from both individualistic and collectivistic cultures. Their issues can be addressed in particular or just discussed in general with all members of congregate.
According to the test, my views are more individualist than collectivist. For me, as for a representative of American culture, such type of views is expected and normal. Even though I am a social worker, and I realize that my job is to help people, and there is nothing shameful in contacting professionals for assistance, I try to cope with the problems by myself. However, if I cannot deal with them on my own, I approach my friends so that they can give me a piece of advice.
What is more, I believe that analyzing my own culture and the way it influences my behavior and beliefs. I receive a chance to understand my clients better. If I resist some changes and ideas, I cannot expect others to accept them easily. Thus, I can conclude that all social workers should pay enormous attention to their cultural competence to provide their clients with appropriate services and assistance.
References
Culturally grounded methods of social work practice. (n.d.). Web.
NASW Illinois Chapter. (2014). The importance of cultural competence in social work practice. Web.