Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Aspects of Diversity
© 2010 - Peter Creagh, Trainer, Supervisor and BACP Registered Counsellor UKRC
Diversity
Counselling Theory and Practice:- Aspects of Diversity
These quotes emphasise that if we merely see ‘the difference’ and fail to see our common
humanity, then we see:
Rather than:
© 2010 - Peter Creagh, Trainer, Supervisor and BACP Registered Counsellor UKRC
Diversity
Counselling Theory and Practice:- Aspects of Diversity
Explore both dealing and working with diversity and some misconceptions and
Barriers in this area.
Look at the Cultural Triangle and how we can develop Cultural Awareness
One common error is to begin to see the topic of diversity as ONLY concerning obvious
issues like race, ethnicity and culture. The dangers/mistake of this approach is that it can
too easily put it ‘out there’, and lead us to feel ‘it’s not my issue’. Living and relating in
society brings us daily into contact with difference and diversity. The Cosmos itself
contains remarkable diversity and our wonderful, but endangered Blue Planet, is full of
diversity. We have diversity of climate, landscape, flora, fauna, animal and human beings.
The following exercise is designed to begin to redress this and to set diversity in its wider
context. We are all unique human beings and bring our uniqueness to the ‘banquet table’
of our diverse society.
© 2010 - Peter Creagh, Trainer, Supervisor and BACP Registered Counsellor UKRC
Diversity
Counselling Theory and Practice:- Aspects of Diversity
Cultural and social norms have a great influence on how people attempt to solve
problems. It also impinges upon how we seek and use professional assistance and help.
Differences exist between societies and cultures and this must be taken into account in
any attempt to approach any relationship in a trans-cultural context. The majority of
current approaches to helping are heavily influenced by a white, mainly male, middle-
class, formally educated Western approach. These do not necessarily find an immediate
resonance with other groups, whether defined by race, ethnicity or culture. For the
purpose of this note the term ‘Western ‘ mainly denotes Europe, North America and
Australasia. The Non- Western denotes the remainder of the world and the aboriginal
peoples of the world.
It is useful to outline the continuum of approaches in trans- cultural professional work and
this is shown in the figure below:
UNIVERSAL UNIQUE
TRANS-CULTURAL
© 2010 - Peter Creagh, Trainer, Supervisor and BACP Registered Counsellor UKRC
Diversity
Counselling Theory and Practice:- Aspects of Diversity
Before exploring the whole issue of trans-cultural helping it is important to outline several
aspects concerning diversity. Many, such as Lago (1996), D’Ardenne & Mahtani (1999)
and Britt – Krause (1998) agree that ‘definitions’ are extremely important and many of
these are culturally ‘laden’. However the following are some points that should aid our
reflections in this vitally important area.
Most Professional Approaches in the UK are heavily influenced by a mainly male, white
(middle class) and western approach
Helpers require a personal awareness of where they stand in relation to these issues
We are all one people with the same thoughts, feelings and needs.
It’s dangerous and divisive to emphasise difference all the time. This will only further
divide society and create animosity between groups.
I have trained to be empathic and accepting, respectful and genuine. I resent the
suggestion that I may be insensitive to other groups.
© 2010 - Peter Creagh, Trainer, Supervisor and BACP Registered Counsellor UKRC
Diversity
Counselling Theory and Practice:- Aspects of Diversity
Let’s face it, minority groups must learn to fit in with society. I’m only helping them to do
this as; after all, it’s in their best interests.
If you are a good professional you automatically value others and take account of their
culture. You don’t need special training in cultural competence to do this.
There is both a professional and moral obligation for those in the helping professions to
deepen their self-awareness and widen their understanding and knowledge of peoples
of different race- culture and ethnicity. Today there is a greater emphasis on good race
relations and on equal opportunities and most professionals agree on the need for
regulation and professional development in these areas. However, there is an inherent
danger in all this of either leaving it all to regulation and the law or merely paying lip
service to these ideas and projecting the responsibility either out onto society or merely
acknowledging it at the intellectual level. Ishpriya Mataji (2000) not only recognises this
but goes on to emphasise:
‘.. That if it only remains at the level of the intellect, and then it remains at the level
of slogans and good statements. We have to get down to the level of the emotions,
the feelings and the response within ourselves’
So often language and its 'hidden' meanings can erect barriers between peoples and
emphasise the difference and difficulty rather than the richness of he diversity. In Chapter
1 of Palmer and Laungani (1999), Lawson, Whitehead and Luthra stress the sensitivity of
language in this area. They point out that the term 'ethnic minority’ can be seen as
‘insensitive by people living in areas where the term is statistically incorrect and
inappropriately implies being outside the mainstream and hence of less social
importance’.
© 2010 - Peter Creagh, Trainer, Supervisor and BACP Registered Counsellor UKRC
Diversity
Counselling Theory and Practice:- Aspects of Diversity
They suggest that the terms race, culture and ethnicity often overlap but that race in
particular can have a negative connotation related to its connection with 'racism' The
following brief definitions of the three terms are adapted from D'Ardenne & Mahtani (
1999) as is the accompanying figure.
Ethnicity: Ethnicity mainly denotes common origin but can overlap with both race and
culture. It denotes a sense of belonging and group identity and can often transcend
culture.
© 2010 - Peter Creagh, Trainer, Supervisor and BACP Registered Counsellor UKRC
Diversity
Counselling Theory and Practice:- Aspects of Diversity
The earlier quotation from Ishpriya Mataji (2000) poses an extremely important question.
How can we begin to move our focus from the area of the intellectual agreement into that
of personal change? Here we are faced with personal choices and development which
could lead to more effective Trans –cultural inter-personal relationships. According to
Adams (1995) developing a real cultural competency involves an integration of different
aspects involving culture. These are knowledge – awareness and sensitivity. The first
of these is primarily a cognitive and intellectual exercise. However, the latter two involve
developing sensitivity towards diversity and some emotional and psychological changes
in attitudes and values. This integration is shown in the following figure:
Cultural Sensitivity
(Acknowledging the diversity but recognising the unity /similarity)
© 2010 - Peter Creagh, Trainer, Supervisor and BACP Registered Counsellor UKRC
Diversity
Counselling Theory and Practice:- Aspects of Diversity
• This approach affects how people view themselves and has resulted in many
‘labels’ for feelings and symptoms. These are generally of an academic and
cognitive nature.
© 2010 - Peter Creagh, Trainer, Supervisor and BACP Registered Counsellor UKRC
Diversity
Counselling Theory and Practice:- Aspects of Diversity
Lago (1996) refers to an interesting study by the ‘American Field Services’ that led to the
concept of an ‘iceberg’ conception of culture and awareness. It offers the opportunity to
reflect on the conscious and unconscious aspects of culture which we as individuals
possess. The list of comments can be adapted to many settings and contexts and provide
individuals with a base-point from which to ascertain their awareness of culture and its
effect on their inter-personal style.
(Adapted from American Field Services (p 14)) See Lago & Thompson (1996)
© 2010 - Peter Creagh, Trainer, Supervisor and BACP Registered Counsellor UKRC
Diversity
Counselling Theory and Practice:- Aspects of Diversity
CONCLUSIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHY/REFERENCE
© 2010 - Peter Creagh, Trainer, Supervisor and BACP Registered Counsellor UKRC
Diversity