Multiculturalism, Differences, and Stereotypes
The issue to be analyzed in this position paper is the question of whether the focus on multiculturalism in social work practice impacting upon older adults and their families from diverse ethnic minorities tends to emphasize differences and foster racial/ethnic stereotypes. This is clearly a two-part question. The focus on multiculturalism as described by Burlingame (1999) clearly requires the social worker, regardless of the age cohort with which he or she is working, to recognize, respect and respond to cultural differences; thus, social work practice must focus on or address issues of multiculturalism in the interest of knowing the needs and concerns and situation of the client.
The second part of the question seeks to determine whether multiculturalism has the potential to foster racial/ethnic stereotypes. As Burlingame (1999) suggests, social work that stigmatizes differences or anticipates that generalized ethnic and racial differences are applicable to all clients or to specific clients errs and fails. In the former instance of the necessity of recognizing and focusing on multiculturalism, the answer is clearly "yes" and in the latter case (of whether or not such a focus can lead to stereotypes and stigmas) the answer is a qualified "possibly."
The United States is a society diverse in terms of culture, race, ethnicity, religion, and income. It is also, as Schmitz, Stakeman, and Sisneros (2001) claim, a society struggling with a past involving oppression, inequality, and buried knowledge. Social work professionals should and must educate themselves about the many strands of American history, grow to appreciate and enjoy multiple cultures, races, and realities, and recognize the consequences of current and historical oppression. It is ultimately impossible to address the social work needs of racial or ethnic minority clients without an understanding of how their l...