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Cultural Diversity In Social Work

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Cultural Diversity In Social Work
Introduction
As a social worker, it is essential to be diverse and culturally competent for the reason that one will encounter clients with diverse backgrounds from his or her own. A client may be different due to their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other factor. However, the social worker’s purpose is to enhance the client’s well-being while attending to his or her needs, as well as being sensitive to their cultural and ethnic diversity (National Association of Social Workers, 1999). While working with a client, it is necessary to examine the social system and apply the appropriate theories or perspectives that can be applied to that particular case. Additionally, it is important to determine how the social systems …show more content…
On the other hand, it could cause some issues between the social worker and the client. In Alexis’ case, remaining unbiased could be a problem. For instance, she is an atheist wanting to transgender from a female into a male. I identify as a Christian heterosexual. My beliefs could conflict with her beliefs regarding her religious preference and sexual orientation. Although my religion possesses different morals and values that would disagree with the idea of transgendering or atheism, it should not affect me from providing Alexis with the necessary social services that she requests for. In order to prevent any disagreements, I could conduct research on transgenders, including the processes and possible emotions so that I can empathize with her during this …show more content…
Additionally, research would have to be done on transgenders that were raised in a Christian household. Findings suggested that religiosity is related to both positive and negative outcomes for sexual minority adolescents when it comes to the “coming out” process (Dahl & Galliher, 2012). According to Dahl and Galliher (2012), approximately two-thirds of sexual minorities have had experience with their sexual identity conflicting with their religious identity, while a large amount of sexual minorities have disengaged with their religious affiliation. Along with this information, some religious dominations have been more accepting of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders. On the other hand, some individuals of sexual minorities negotiate their sense of identity within Christian religious contexts due to heightened frustration and confusion concerning personal values related to their sexual behavior, attractions, faith, family, or the afterlife (Dahl & Galliher, 2012). Thus when providing Alexis with social services, it would be beneficial to know this knowledge beforehand in order to prepare questions about her parents’ religious beliefs influencing and affecting her as a woman wanting to transgender into a
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