Social Diversity
- Consider the different aspects of culture such as: language, communication style, art, customs/traditions (e.g., holidays, weddings, funerals), values, stories, religion, food, social habits (e.g., eye contact, how close one stands, how one greets or says “good”), gender roles, clothing, music.
- Reflect on the first time you remember someone else displaying a different cultural characteristic than your own. Where were you? What did you notice? How did you respond?
- Read Standard 1.05 from the NASW Code of Ethics:
- Briefly identify and describe your culture.
- Describe your first memory of a cultural difference.
- Explain the information a social worker would need to know about an individual’s or family’s culture in order to effectively deliver services to them.
- Describe potential consequences of a lack of cultural awareness on the social worker’s part.