Cultural Bias Research Paper

Gender and Culture Bias
James C. Horton Jr.
PSY400 UK - Counseling Theories
Argosy University

Introduction: To be bias or unbiased

Bias or unbiased, most people know that we should base our decisions and acts in unbiased mentality. However lots of the bias of the world is generated to protect or warn others of potential problems or issues. As fear can be and is healthy in certain situations bias can be also. This of course is not always the case and although sponsored by love bias can send wrong messages and implications that can have effects for a lifetime.

Bias of the Century - Culture vs. Gender

The scenario: Debrah 's son Anthony who is 13 years old has an East Indian friend called Chaya. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kapoor object to their daughter being friends with Anthony. They tell Debrah that they think Anthony is a fine boy, but that they think it is inappropriate for Chaya to be playing football with other boys. They say that even though they live in America, they cannot forget their own culture and that it is time for Chaya to stop being a child and to start being a girl.

Looking at the scenario there are a few biases or
preconceptions that I observed. One is with the culture in America. It is perceived to be of lesser value in contrast to their culture. In the area of gender the parents seem to think that there is not acting like a girl should act. Which both are reflected in the statement, “They say that even though they live in America, they cannot forget their own culture and that it is time for Chaya to stop being a child and to start being a girl.”

Bias Can Breed Defense

For a minute let’s look at Mrs. Kapoor and a potential reaction this statement by a feminist, “Women have been restricted by their cultural conditioning and by accepting gender-role stereotypes that keep them in an inferior position.”

Taking into account the scenario I feel that this statement would place Mrs. Kapoor in a defensive stance and possibly be offended. Due to her pride in her own culture she may potentially think that the statement would be calling her culture inferior. That the roles she plays are vital to her family and she holds them dearly. In fact the losing of such “roles” in this country has lead to its increases in financial problems (i.e. poverty) and medical issues (i.e. teen pregnancy), another preconception on her behalf.

The Implications of Preconceptions

It could be taken that Mr.
and Mrs. Kapoor hold their own culture in higher regard than the American culture. This bias has led to certain actions that give way to preconceptions they have attached to their daughter. These would be that Chaya is expected to carry herself in a specific way due to the fact that she is a female and that males carry themselves a certain way too. It draws the line that those who do not act accordingly to their gender are abnormal or wrong in living their lives. That she will forget her culture and embrace the American culture that will lead her potentially toward early pregnancy or a homosexual lifestyle. They state she should know her place and how she should conduct herself in life and in not doing so would result in her living
wrongly.

Conclusion

It seems that we all have our preconceptions about everything, including people. This is not to be deemed as a bad trait but more of a psychological imperative. I am sure your biases have alerted in helpful and harmful ways. It is not the goal to eliminate them but to not fall victim to them. Biases should not become a philosophy that we live by, and that is my unbiased opinion.

References

Davis, Dr. Carmen. 2000 “Feminist Therapy” Lecture Notes Argosy University Retrieved from: Counseling Theories | PSY400 UK Class

Seligman, Linda C. 2006 “Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: Systems, Strategies, and Skills, 2nd Edition” Pearson Prentice Hall Retrieved from: VitalSource Bookshelf