Why Cultural Competency Is Important

Cultural competence is important because is a way of understanding the specific cultural , language, social and economic nuances of particular people and families.One is the civil rights movement that begun in 1950’s in which African Americanism, women, gay , lesbians people with disabilities and other minority groups alerted the country to their distinct identities and long histories of oppression.

Cultural competence is also by growing number of new immigrants who bring with them unique cultural, language, religious, and political background. Histories of internal displacement within their own countries, torture, political oppression and extreme poverty abound among immigrant communities.

Social workers of today are adding cultural competence to these already existing strengths and values making them particularly well- equipped to deliver culturally competent care. Social workers also represent a group of service providers with a long standing history of understanding both people’s differences and the impact of social injustices on their own well being.Many schools of social work now include curricula on cultural competence, and the Association of Social Workers recently develop standards that require social workers to deliver competent services to their increasingly diverse clientele.

When it comes to language differences affect both majority and minority populations. For example, a refugee from a war torn country doesn’t understand English, and he lacks both material and financial resources. If he doesn’t get help, he faces many potential dangers that result from poverty and an inability to access the system.The social worker then who are trained in culturally competent care connects him with a range of social services- the traditional assistance that is being provided.In addition the social worker introduces him to his fellow refugees who have undergone similar experiences.

Another example is in the area of International adoptions,a competent social worker can have an impact on people’s lives,as a person who was trained in a cultural competence he can help the adoptive parents understand their adoptive child’s cultural heritage and create activities to keep the child’s culture alive.

Adding this dimension to the child’s assimilation can foster the youngsters sense of identity and make the adoptions experience a smoother and happier one for both parents and child.

For Asian Americans families are their primary source of support,they tend to to keep problems inside the family rather than sharing them w2ith others.A culturally competent social worker will therefore provide brief task-oriented therapy that respects their privacy and helps them achieve concrete goals, instead of providing traditional western- style therapy that is more individualistic and analytical.

It can be persuasively argued that effective care is impossible without a working knowledge and understanding of a person’s or group’s culture and background.As we move into an ever more pluralistic and multicultural society, social workers are among those best-equipped to deliver that care and to empower people from all backgrounds to lead connected, healthy lives.

HOW CAN A CULTURAL COMPETENCY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE?

Her in the CORDILLERA, we are a multicultural community,understanding, and respecting each others’ culture makes the difference. Their rituals ,dances and musical instruments are different from each ethnic group, yet their way of respecting each others identity is very impressive.Here in Benguet State University, the students came from the different parts of the region, there are lowlanders too yet because of their cultural competency, this could create a friendly atmosphere and they respect one another regardless of ethnic group where they come from.This is one among the reason why cultural competency can make the difference.It brings peace to a certain community.Taking into consideration in Mindanao, i cant help but ask myself:If the people out there in that area are all cultural competent,there might be an everlasting peace.So education is still the best weapon to bring peace,particularly cultural competency, not guns.

Since cultural competence is a key factor in enabling educators to be effective with students from cultures other than their own,it is also an awareness of one’s own identity and views about the difference, and the ability to learn and build on the varying cultural and community of students and their families.It is also the ability to understand the within -group difference that makes the individual or students unique,while celebrating the between-group variations that make our country a tapestry.

Cultural competence is also a way to inform and expands teaching practices in the culturally competent educator’s classroom.

Culturally competent services are needed beyond race and ethnicity.Culturally competent social worker for example, are better able to address issues of gender and h4lp persons with disabilities, older adults, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.A working knowledge of these groups’ cultures and values helps social worker4s tailor care so it is effective and appropriate for their clients’ needs.

By assessing our own cultural competency this can also shed light on the depth of our knowledge about cultures different from our own.It can also reveal what more we could learn about the specific population’s beliefs and values.

In medical field,knowing the cultural background of a patient can deliver most effective care. The ability to communicate effectively across barriers of language and culture directly affects the patient’s treatment and outcome So cultural sensitivity and competency is important in dealing to all kinds op people from all walk of life.
For the educators, inculcating to the mind of the students that cultural competency is a responsibility both moral and ethnically making them aware that this will create a welcoming environment for them to succeed.The impact of having educators who have the ability to challenge and motivate diverse student populations can dramatically improve our educational system and student outcomes.

Therefore in my point of view,a person with cultural competency can go far and can gain a lot of friends. He will not be intimidated to mingle with people regardless of profession and race or ethnic group because he can relate to them. Cultural competency can also be an instrument to bring peace in a war torn area. Cultural competency is really indispensable, it must be taught in the early stage of education..This is also a good instrument in molding a good attitude of the new generation All OF THIS CAN MAKE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.