Cultural Identity and Multicultural Counselling

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Cultural identity refers to a part of an individual’s identity, or a person’s self-perception and self-conception which is related to religion, nationality, social class, locality, generation, ethnicity, or any other form of social group that tends to have its distinct culture (Arthur, 2019). The term originated in sociology and anthropology and is used in a related way in much of the social sciences. The term has been extended to mean the symbolic markers or behavioral characteristics that members of a society or group use to distinguish themselves from others. In this sense it is used as the opposite of social anonymity and as an alternative to association with a larger group. In modern Western culture, cultural identity is usually seen as something which has been shaped by a combination of factors at different levels: personal, local and national (often reflecting the country where one lives). This approach stresses social and economic factors including education, family background, ethnicity, religion, nationality and language – but not gender nor political affiliation.

Multicultural counselling seeks to comprehend how an individual’s identity and cultural issues tend to affect a person’s mental health. The importance of Cultural identity is one of the main terms discussed in multicultural counselling. Cultural identity refers to a person’s sense of connection to place and community, which may vary significantly from culture to culture (Arthur, (2019). These differences must be understood prior to successfully providing counselling for a culturally diverse client. Additionally, cultural identity can also be affected by political or economic factors in environments where there are large populations that have been displaced from their homeland or nation. Various fields such as social work and mental health care have developed various approaches with respect to understanding and providing services for these people who are out of place or displaced from their homeland due to personal reasons such as civil war, persecution, natural disaster, etc.

Another key importance of Cultural identity to multicultural counselling is that it defines one’s origin. Identifying in one’s cultural identity is somewhat linked to the meaning of the person’s life. It is important to understand that individuals may identify with a particular culture and yet maintain a link to their ethnic community or nation through kinship, marriage, or other cultural connections. Often people who have been displaced from their homeland have been influenced by ethnic culture in the new country where they are living and are gradually losing touch with their own heritage.

Additionally, cultural identity is often linked to language, values and beliefs, religion, and markers of belonging such as family stories. It is important for counsellors to understand that when a person’s cultural identity is threatened then his or her mental health may also be affected in a negative way (France., et al 2021). A client may identify with the same culture as other members of his or her ethnic community, yet still feel a sense of ‘not belonging’. In this way he or she may feel they are neither ‘here nor there’ and that they belong nowhere. This can lead to low self-esteem and depression. It should be noted that when defining cultural identity, there is often no single mold into which people fit.

The main elements that make up cultural identities include gender, sexuality, religion, geographical region, social class, or ethnicity. Gender as an element of cultural identity refers to the different meanings of male and female. Gender can be socially constructed, meaning that you can choose not to conform to gender norms and still be considered a member of your culture (Stanley et al., 2021). This is different from Gender roles, which are the behaviors expected of people based on their gender. Gender norms are generally accepted and respected but not always enforced. In many areas of the world, including most parts of Africa and Latin America, people are just beginning to question gender norms and the inequality that they produce. Unprocessed hair or body hair appears to be a strong indicator of womanhood in many cultures throughout the world. In parts of Asia and Africa, women often shave or pluck their hair to show respect for men. In some regions, like South Asia, shaving one’s head is a significant ritual after marriage (See box titled ‘Women in ancient Sanskrit poetry’ for some examples).

Geographical region as an element of cultural identity refers to the different ways in which people view themselves according to their geography, such as “Valley girl,” “metro,” or “suburban.” Some people may not see cultural differences in the area of their geographical region. For example, the city of Los Angeles is in the state of California, and many people do not see Los Angeles as different from San Bernardino or Ventura. However, there are differences. People from the same area may differ on how they view themselves and their differences with other cities. For example, people see themselves differently in terms of class when compared to those in other areas because of the economy, climate, and culture (Stanley et al., 2021).

Religion as an element of cultural identity refers to the practices, beliefs, customs and history of various faith groups based on their connection with a particular god or gods (Stanley et al., 2021). This can also refer to the integration of religious beliefs into cultural traditions and practices. In an increasingly secularized world, religion is no longer an absolute in many cultures and it has become a personal choice. After all, people are free to believe in whichever they please, or not believe at all. However, this doesn’t mean that religion as an identity marker has been erased from society entirely. The following religions have had the most profound impact on cultural identity: Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. We will explore their social impact on our lives.

Ethnicity is when one’s self-identification is tied up with their racial or ethnic heritage. This can include the language and cultural heritage of a nation or race, as well as their physical features. A person may identify themselves as an Hispanic or an Indian, or as an Aranese, Basque, or Catalan. In a study it was determined that ethnicity can be defined as “the self-identification of belonging to a particular ethnic group, regardless of actual linguistic or geographic ties”. While ethnicity is tied in with race, they are not necessarily the same thing. Race is a term used to classify individuals whom share physical similarities among all members of the same species (e.g. human beings). Ethnicity is more difficult to define, because there are such things as race and culture (which are tied together) but also religion and language which have sway on how people identify themselves (Stanley et al., 2021).

Social class is a way to categorize groups of people based on their economic status. Different social classes are able to afford different level of goods and services, and those goods and services vary across countries. Many cultures have social class divisions based on more than just economics; some countries separate people into upper class, middle class, and lower class (Stanley et al., 2021). Although the idea of social classes is not a new concept, it has become a popular one in recent years due to the growth of globalization. The internet also makes information about social classes easier to access than ever before — from news articles about economic inequality in the United States to interviews with famous individuals who are part of these different groups.

I agree with the author that culture is the way that a group of people understands their existence and its ties to past generations. Style includes clothing behaviors and values that are visible to others. It includes fashion styles as well as dance moves while dancing with your friends at a club after work on Friday night or hugging someone who just got engaged; all indicative of your type of style. Language refers to the different words used in various dialects within the same geographic region such as slang, dialectal accents and formal language use; it also includes understanding how languages change over time (Zajda, & Majhanovich, 2021). Elements of cultural identity are beliefs and practices that have been deemed traditional and important since before European colonial rule began in the New World, but that are still being passed on from one generation to the next. For example, beliefs and practices such as the ability to use one’s hands may have changed since Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

In conclusion, cultural identity is a vital aspect of multicultural counselling practice. It is essential to recognize the different cultural identities of clients and their backgrounds in order to provide culturally competent care. Competencies such as identifying, assessing and counselling around cultural identity can be used in many different contexts and should not be overlooked when providing services within a multicultural community.” One of the most important qualities that every counselor needs is culture competence- the ability to identify, understand, assess, and appropriately help with cross-cultural issues. The ‘cultural identity’ of our clients can often present challenging challenges for counselors who are unfamiliar with or uneducated concerning diverse cultures. An element of Cultural identity is how we are perceived by others. This depends on how we behave in our daily lives for instance and also what we choose to do with our time.

References

Arthur, N. (Ed.). (2019). Counselling in cultural contexts: Identities and social justice. Springer.

France, M. H., del Carmen Rodríguez, M., & Hett, G. G. (Eds.). (2021). Diversity, culture and counselling: A Canadian perspective. Brush Education.

Zajda, J. I., & Majhanovich, S. (Eds.). (2021). Globalisation, cultural identity and nation-building: The changing paradigms (Vol. 5). Dordrecht: Springer.

Stanley, M. L., Taylor, M. K., & Marsh, E. J. (2021). Cultural identity changes the accessibility of knowledge. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 10(1), 44-54.

Cultural Identity and Multicultural Counselling

Student’s name

Institution

Course

Tutor

Date

Cultural identity refers to a part of an individual’s identity, or a person’s self-perception and self-conception which is related to religion, nationality, social class, locality, generation, ethnicity, or any other form of social group that tends to have its distinct culture (Arthur, 2019). The term originated in sociology and anthropology and is used in a related way in much of the social sciences. The term has been extended to mean the symbolic markers or behavioral characteristics that members of a society or group use to distinguish themselves from others. In this sense it is used as the opposite of social anonymity and as an alternative to association with a larger group. In modern Western culture, cultural identity is usually seen as something which has been shaped by a combination of factors at different levels: personal, local and national (often reflecting the country where one lives). This approach stresses social and economic factors including education, family background, ethnicity, religion, nationality and language – but not gender nor political affiliation.

Multicultural counselling seeks to comprehend how an individual’s identity and cultural issues tend to affect a person’s mental health. The importance of Cultural identity is one of the main terms discussed in multicultural counselling. Cultural identity refers to a person’s sense of connection to place and community, which may vary significantly from culture to culture (Arthur, (2019). These differences must be understood prior to successfully providing counselling for a culturally diverse client. Additionally, cultural identity can also be affected by political or economic factors in environments where there are large populations that have been displaced from their homeland or nation. Various fields such as social work and mental health care have developed various approaches with respect to understanding and providing services for these people who are out of place or displaced from their homeland due to personal reasons such as civil war, persecution, natural disaster, etc.

Another key importance of Cultural identity to multicultural counselling is that it defines one’s origin. Identifying in one’s cultural identity is somewhat linked to the meaning of the person’s life. It is important to understand that individuals may identify with a particular culture and yet maintain a link to their ethnic community or nation through kinship, marriage, or other cultural connections. Often people who have been displaced from their homeland have been influenced by ethnic culture in the new country where they are living and are gradually losing touch with their own heritage.

Additionally, cultural identity is often linked to language, values and beliefs, religion, and markers of belonging such as family stories. It is important for counsellors to understand that when a person’s cultural identity is threatened then his or her mental health may also be affected in a negative way (France., et al 2021). A client may identify with the same culture as other members of his or her ethnic community, yet still feel a sense of ‘not belonging’. In this way he or she may feel they are neither ‘here nor there’ and that they belong nowhere. This can lead to low self-esteem and depression. It should be noted that when defining cultural identity, there is often no single mold into which people fit.

The main elements that make up cultural identities include gender, sexuality, religion, geographical region, social class, or ethnicity. Gender as an element of cultural identity refers to the different meanings of male and female. Gender can be socially constructed, meaning that you can choose not to conform to gender norms and still be considered a member of your culture (Stanley et al., 2021). This is different from Gender roles, which are the behaviors expected of people based on their gender. Gender norms are generally accepted and respected but not always enforced. In many areas of the world, including most parts of Africa and Latin America, people are just beginning to question gender norms and the inequality that they produce. Unprocessed hair or body hair appears to be a strong indicator of womanhood in many cultures throughout the world. In parts of Asia and Africa, women often shave or pluck their hair to show respect for men. In some regions, like South Asia, shaving one’s head is a significant ritual after marriage (See box titled ‘Women in ancient Sanskrit poetry’ for some examples).

Geographical region as an element of cultural identity refers to the different ways in which people view themselves according to their geography, such as “Valley girl,” “metro,” or “suburban.” Some people may not see cultural differences in the area of their geographical region. For example, the city of Los Angeles is in the state of California, and many people do not see Los Angeles as different from San Bernardino or Ventura. However, there are differences. People from the same area may differ on how they view themselves and their differences with other cities. For example, people see themselves differently in terms of class when compared to those in other areas because of the economy, climate, and culture (Stanley et al., 2021).

Religion as an element of cultural identity refers to the practices, beliefs, customs and history of various faith groups based on their connection with a particular god or gods (Stanley et al., 2021). This can also refer to the integration of religious beliefs into cultural traditions and practices. In an increasingly secularized world, religion is no longer an absolute in many cultures and it has become a personal choice. After all, people are free to believe in whichever they please, or not believe at all. However, this doesn’t mean that religion as an identity marker has been erased from society entirely. The following religions have had the most profound impact on cultural identity: Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. We will explore their social impact on our lives.

Ethnicity is when one’s self-identification is tied up with their racial or ethnic heritage. This can include the language and cultural heritage of a nation or race, as well as their physical features. A person may identify themselves as an Hispanic or an Indian, or as an Aranese, Basque, or Catalan. In a study it was determined that ethnicity can be defined as “the self-identification of belonging to a particular ethnic group, regardless of actual linguistic or geographic ties”. While ethnicity is tied in with race, they are not necessarily the same thing. Race is a term used to classify individuals whom share physical similarities among all members of the same species (e.g. human beings). Ethnicity is more difficult to define, because there are such things as race and culture (which are tied together) but also religion and language which have sway on how people identify themselves (Stanley et al., 2021).

Social class is a way to categorize groups of people based on their economic status. Different social classes are able to afford different level of goods and services, and those goods and services vary across countries. Many cultures have social class divisions based on more than just economics; some countries separate people into upper class, middle class, and lower class (Stanley et al., 2021). Although the idea of social classes is not a new concept, it has become a popular one in recent years due to the growth of globalization. The internet also makes information about social classes easier to access than ever before — from news articles about economic inequality in the United States to interviews with famous individuals who are part of these different groups.

I agree with the author that culture is the way that a group of people understands their existence and its ties to past generations. Style includes clothing behaviors and values that are visible to others. It includes fashion styles as well as dance moves while dancing with your friends at a club after work on Friday night or hugging someone who just got engaged; all indicative of your type of style. Language refers to the different words used in various dialects within the same geographic region such as slang, dialectal accents and formal language use; it also includes understanding how languages change over time (Zajda, & Majhanovich, 2021). Elements of cultural identity are beliefs and practices that have been deemed traditional and important since before European colonial rule began in the New World, but that are still being passed on from one generation to the next. For example, beliefs and practices such as the ability to use one’s hands may have changed since Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

In conclusion, cultural identity is a vital aspect of multicultural counselling practice. It is essential to recognize the different cultural identities of clients and their backgrounds in order to provide culturally competent care. Competencies such as identifying, assessing and counselling around cultural identity can be used in many different contexts and should not be overlooked when providing services within a multicultural community.” One of the most important qualities that every counselor needs is culture competence- the ability to identify, understand, assess, and appropriately help with cross-cultural issues. The ‘cultural identity’ of our clients can often present challenging challenges for counselors who are unfamiliar with or uneducated concerning diverse cultures. An element of Cultural identity is how we are perceived by others. This depends on how we behave in our daily lives for instance and also what we choose to do with our time.

References

Arthur, N. (Ed.). (2019). Counselling in cultural contexts: Identities and social justice. Springer.

France, M. H., del Carmen Rodríguez, M., & Hett, G. G. (Eds.). (2021). Diversity, culture and counselling: A Canadian perspective. Brush Education.

Zajda, J. I., & Majhanovich, S. (Eds.). (2021). Globalisation, cultural identity and nation-building: The changing paradigms (Vol. 5). Dordrecht: Springer.

Stanley, M. L., Taylor, M. K., & Marsh, E. J. (2021). Cultural identity changes the accessibility of knowledge. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 10(1), 44-54.