Cultural Differences In Social Work
Compiling all the cultures that surround us in our daily lives may be overwhelming and difficult to understand each and every individual as a social worker. Especially when examining a child’s life course experiences and overall development, as a result, cohort differences based on the culture, social class, and individual agency (pg.386). However, through comprehensive research, we can identify similar structures and disparities within families that correlate with the same culture and/or social class.
Working for a nonprofit organization that serves residents and their children in an affordable housing community, amplified my curiosity on our African American families, the largest population facing poverty. Also, referring to U.S. Poverty
Statistics measured by the Census Bureau for the year 2014, ranked Black or African American population to have the highest poverty rate compared to other races. Analyzing these large proportions directed me to explore further, by referencing research articles on low-income African American family structure and the aspects of development. Exploring if whether racial discrimination, neighborhood/community, parental, and caregivers share similar characteristics in African-American family life cycle. Also, the implementation of any disparities it may create, as well as resilience for a child and adolescent.
After several decades of extreme environmental distress, caused by prejudicial views and racial oppression, African Americans prevailed against staggering social obstacles over time. Given the historical overview of African American culture and the critical social ills that threatened the lives of African families, it continues to be a relevant matter in our modern society. Institutional racism is a phenomenon that has been transmitted from generations through socialization processes, an indirect effect that occurs in the lives of many African American youth and adolescents. According to researchers Bynum et al. (2014), racial discrimination is current and persistent stressors affecting African Americans. Revealing a substantial variation in African American adolescents’ did report experiencing discrimination over time. Patterns of racial discrimination contributed to multidimensional negative outcomes that impact the psychological and physical health.
Working for a nonprofit organization that serves residents and their children in an affordable housing community, amplified my curiosity on our African American families, the largest population facing poverty. Also, referring to U.S. Poverty
Statistics measured by the Census Bureau for the year 2014, ranked Black or African American population to have the highest poverty rate compared to other races. Analyzing these large proportions directed me to explore further, by referencing research articles on low-income African American family structure and the aspects of development. Exploring if whether racial discrimination, neighborhood/community, parental, and caregivers share similar characteristics in African-American family life cycle. Also, the implementation of any disparities it may create, as well as resilience for a child and adolescent.
After several decades of extreme environmental distress, caused by prejudicial views and racial oppression, African Americans prevailed against staggering social obstacles over time. Given the historical overview of African American culture and the critical social ills that threatened the lives of African families, it continues to be a relevant matter in our modern society. Institutional racism is a phenomenon that has been transmitted from generations through socialization processes, an indirect effect that occurs in the lives of many African American youth and adolescents. According to researchers Bynum et al. (2014), racial discrimination is current and persistent stressors affecting African Americans. Revealing a substantial variation in African American adolescents’ did report experiencing discrimination over time. Patterns of racial discrimination contributed to multidimensional negative outcomes that impact the psychological and physical health.