This module and last module touched on the over-representation of certain racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. child welfare system (particularly African American and Native American children) in contrast to the under-representation of others (e.g. Caucasian and Asian American children) and also on culturally competent practice in child welfare. Hopefully, you have started to see the importance of understanding shared history and other aspects of culture in terms of how they shape the ways in which families operate, and you have become more sensitized to ways in which child welfare workers/systems can pathologize families simply because they are different (and not necessarily harmful to their children). Reflect on these ideas and how they will shape your future work with children and families. Specifically, address the following:
- What is your cultural heritage and how does it shape the way in which your family operates? How do you draw strength from your cultural identity? How can you help a young person identify their own culture and its strengths?
- If you are a future child welfare or social work professional, how will you help ensure that you don't mistakenly pathologize/judge/punish unfamiliar parenting approaches simply because they stem from unfamiliar cultural practices? If you will have another career working with people, how has this material influenced how you will see culture issues and disparity for families of color in the work you do.
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