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There are various degrees of assimilation/acculturation, as some individuals and groups adapt more readily to a new culture, while others observe “the old ways.” Assimilation or acculturation occurs when immigrants adopt the values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of their new culture. By becoming part of the mainstream culture, they also willingly give up some of their previous cultural norms and homeland identities.
There are challenges in adapting to a new culture and managing the loss of an old culture. There is no “normal” developmental process of acculturation that can be expected, only individual adaptations to new experiences, mourning of the past, and social and emotional adjustments. Since acculturation involves changes in one’s sense of identity, behavior, and belief systems, it is easy to see how difficult such a transition might be. As a social worker, it is important to have adequate understanding and knowledge of various aspects of diversity and theories of assimilation to work in a culturally responsive and inclusive way with clients.
Also, as a land of primarily immigrants, the United States is pluralistic and ever changing as ethnic populations and their sizes shift and change. Social workers must be prepared to engage and work with people representing diversity in ethnicity, religion, ideology, values, beliefs, behaviors and more. In many ways, America itself is a place where continual acculturation and adaptation to change is occurring due to the pluralistic nature of the country and the ongoing exchange of ideas and customs it represents. Understanding acculturation can help social workers as they work with not only immigrants but a variety of people and communities adapting to cultural change.
Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:
Identify the impact diversity and difference have in shaping life experiences.
Synthesize dynamics of social, racial, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
Demonstrate understanding of strategies to advocate for human rights at the individual, family, group, organizational, and community system levels.
Develop knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies.
Demonstrate knowledge of anti-racist and anti-oppressive social work practice at the individual, family, group, organizational, community, research, and policy levels.
Demonstrate knowledge and application of cultural humility by applying critical reflection, self-awareness, and self-regulation to manage the influence of bias, power, privilege, and values in working with clients and constituencies, acknowledging them as experts of their own lived experiences.
Resources
Textbook: Contemporary Human Behavior Theory: A Critical Perspective for Social Work
Video: TED Talk: What it’s like to be the child of immigrants
APA Template – this is also found in the Course Resources module
Background Information
As a social worker, it is important to be aware of your own attitude about cultural pluralism. Social workers should reflect on their ideas about assimilation into the dominant society and the maintenance of traditional cultural beliefs and practices. Your own biases and perspectives are important and can affect your work with clients.
Inclusive and responsive practice begins with knowledge and awareness of other cultures as well as practice skills to promote mutual respect. It requires social workers to understand their own cultural beliefs and values derived from family, background, and position in society. Therefore, self-reflection is vital to practicing with cultural humility. When social workers are culturally competent, they establish positive helping relationships, engage the client, and improve the quality of services they provide.
Instructions
Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
In your textbook Contemporary Human Behavior Theory: A Critical Perspective for Social Work, review Chapter 6, “Theories of Assimilation, Acculturation, Bicultural Socialization, and Ethnic Minority Identity.”
Watch the video: TED Talk: What it’s like to be the child of immigrants.
4. In a minimum 3 page APA-formatted paper (not including cover page and reference page), respond to the following question sets while supporting your responses with information from the textbook: Your paper should include a formal introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs and conclusion with proper APA in-text citations and reference page.
If your client was an immigrant, how would you engage the client in the concept of acculturation? How would you encourage the client to take an active role in the process? Please provide an example.
Why is it considered to be of value to maintain some of one’s cultural identity and characteristics?
How are issues of diversity important in shaping life experiences and what does this mean for social work practice? Please consider each level (micro, mezzo, and macro) of practice.
How might immigrants and ethnic minorities experience racism or oppression based on differences in culture? How can understanding theories of acculturation or their principles as described in your text help social workers oppose racism and oppression of these groups? Explain.
What beliefs and fears might immigrants or others outside the cultural mainstream have regarding social services and social workers?
With diverse cultures come many varying beliefs and concepts, how will you use cultural humility, self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of any personal bias, power, privilege or values when working with diverse clients and other constituencies? Please provide an example.
Before finalizing your work, ensure that you:
Have followed the assignment instructions carefully.
Use the computer’s spelling and grammar check.
Use APA format for organization, style, and source credits, including:
12-point, double-spaced Times New Roman font
One-inch margins on all sides
Normal character spacing
In-text citations
Title page and reference page
Properly formatted headings
Review the rubric that your instructor will use to evaluate your work. Self-assess your assignment using the rubric and make improvements as needed to meet expectations and ensure that your work fulfills all the requirements.
When you have completed your assignment, save a copy for yourself and submit a copy to your instructor through the Assignment submission page by the end of the workshop.
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