Cultural Diversity UNDERSTANDING CULTURE ETHNICITY RACE AS IT

Cultural Diversity UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, ETHNICITY, & RACE AS IT RELATES TO THE HEALTH CARE FIELD

WHAT MAKES A PERSON UNIQUE? � Physical � Education characteristics � Family Life � Socioeconomic status � Religious beliefs � Location � Occupation � Life experiences � Cultural/ethnic heritage

CULTURE � values, beliefs, attitudes, languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, & customs unique to a particular group of people & passed from one generation to the next. • “Set of rules” • All cultures have 4 characteristics: -Culture is learned -Culture is social in nature -Culture is shared -Culture is dynamic & constantly changing.

ETHNICITY � Classification of people based on national origin and/or culture. � Can share a common geographical location or heritage but may not share same beliefs. � Examples include – African American, Asian American, European Americans, Hispanic Americans, Middle Eastern/Arab Americans, Native Americans

RACE A classification of people based on physical or biological characteristics such as the color of skin, hair, and eyes; facial features; blood type; and bone structure. � � Race cuts across multiple ethnic/cultural groups. Example: -Blacks from Africa & Blacks from the Caribbean both share many of the same physical characteristics, but they have different cultural beliefs and values. -White or Black Hispanics -White Africans & Caribbean's -White & Black Asians

WHAT IS CULTURAL DIVERSITY? � The � � � differences based on cultural, ethnic, & racial factors. Cultural assimilation – absorption of a culturally distinct group into a dominant or prevailing culture. Requires that the newly arrived cultural group alter unique beliefs & behaviors & adopt the ways of the dominant culture. Acculturation – process of learning the beliefs & behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics. Sensitivity - the ability to recognize and appreciate the personal characteristics of others.

BEHAVIORS & THEIR CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

TERMS � Bias – preference that prevents impartial judgment. � Ethnocentric – Individuals who believe in the supremacy of their own ethnic group. � Prejudice – “pre judge” a strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that is formed without reviewing facts or information. � Stereotype - an assumption is made that everyone in a particular group is the same. � Holistic Care – care that provides for the well-being of the whole person.

FAMILY ORGANIZATION

WHAT IS FAMILY ORGANIZATION? �The structure of a family and the dominant or decision making person in a family. �Families vary in their composition and in the roles assumed by family members

2 TYPES OF FAMILY ORGANIZATION Nuclear Family Extended Family Mother, Father, & Children. Can also consist of a single parent and child(ren) Nuclear family + grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins.

FAMILY TERMS…. � Patriarchal – Father or oldest male in the family is the authority. � Matriarchal – Mother or oldest female in the family is the authority. How does this affect health care? -If a family is patriarchal, the dominant male will make most health care decisions for all family members. -Regardless of who is in authority, respect for the individual and the family must be the primary concern

LANGUAGE

�In the United States the dominant language is English. � 20% of the US population under age 65 speaks a language other than English at home.

HOW TO CARE FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING PT’S � Whenever possible find a translator or a family member who speaks the language. � Speak slowly & use simple words. � Use gestures or pictures to clarify the meaning of words. � Use nonverbal communication (smile/gentle touch) � Avoid the tendency to speak louder � Try to learn some words or phrases in different languages

PERSONAL SPACE & TOUCH

PERSONAL SPACE & TOUCH � “territorial space” � The distance people require to feel comfortable while interacting with others. � Some cultures use close contact (comfortable standing very close to and even touching � some cultures use distant contact (opposite of close contact)

CULTURES & TOUCH � � Arabs – very close contact, will touch, � smell, & feel people. French/Latin – tend to stand very close while talking. Hispanic – comfortable with close contact & use � hugs & handshakes. Gender- women tend to stand closer than men do and children stand closer together then � adults. European/African Americans – prefer some space during interactions but do � not hesitate to shake hands as a � greeting. Asian – stand closer but usually do not touch. � Affection is reserved for intimate relationships but never in public. Cambodia – members of the opposite sex will never touch in public, even siblings. Vietnamese – only elderly can touch Middle Eastern – men may not touch females who are not family. Native Americans – personal space is important but they will lightly touch another person’s hand during greetings.

EYE CONTACT � Most European Americans regard eye contact during a conversation as a sign of interest and trustworthiness. � Asian Americans consider direct eye contact to be rude � Native Americans may use peripheral vision and avoid direct eye contact. � Hispanic & African Americans may use brief eye contact � Muslim woman may avoid eye contact as a sign of modesty � In India, people of different socioeconomic classes may avoid eye contact

GESTURES � Common gesture in the US is nodding the head up and down for “yes” and side to side for “no”. � In India, the head motions for yes and no are the exact opposite. � Asians and Native Americans feel pointing is a threat, but in the US it is commonly used to point out something.