An Overview of Cultural
Differences
Kris Lublin and Talon Greeff
University of Phoenix
CNSL 534
Cultural differences impact many
areas of an individual’s life:
Medical
 Marketing
 Academic
 Lifestyle
 Leisure

Counseling Attrition
“Attrition is generally defined as the client’s failure
to return for therapy. It is estimated that 50% of
culturally diverse groups terminated therapy after only
one contact with a mental health professional
(Paniagua, 1998).”
Introduction

Utah Demographics
 Utah Minorities
–
–
–
–
African-Americans
Asian/Pacific-Islanders
American Indians
Latino
• Hispanics
• Mexicans

Cultural Competency
1. Utah Statistics

Not racially diverse
compared to many
other states
 Current demographics
indicate increased
diversity
 2000 Census will
verify and quantify the
gains by minority
groups in the State of
Utah
1990 Census Demographics






Caucasian---------87%
Hispanics-----------5%
Blacks-------------->1%
American Indian--2%
Asian/Pacific
Islander--------------3%
Other-----------------2%
2. Utah Minorities

African-Americans
 Asian/PacificIslanders
 American Indians
 Latino
• Hispanics
• Mexicans
• Puerto-Rican
Americans
• Cuban-Americans
African-Americans

Black vs. AfricanAmericans
 Treatment of
Illnesses
 Spirituality
 Family Systems
Counseling Implications

Ask for client
preference
 Use as combined
or alternative
treatment
 Include clergy
 Figure out who is
head of household
Asian/Pacific-Islanders





Over 30 different
groups
Shared decisionmaking
Silent
communication
Preservation of
harmony
Care for the elderly
Counseling Implications

Family-oriented
treatment
 See therapist as
figure of authority
 Show expertise
and authority
 Alternative home
care for elderly
American Indians

Family systems
 Non-verbal
communication
 Concept of time
 Treatment of
illnesses
Counseling Implications

Involvement of
tribal members
 Set limits on time
 Use as combined
or alternative
treatment
 Access to Federal
guidelines and
resources
Latino(a) Americans
Latino(a)s includes
individuals from each of
these three areas of the
world (Randall-David,
1993).
Hispanic Americans

Hispanic Americans, are
residents of the United
States who trace their
ancestry to countries in the
western hemisphere where
the Spanish language is
spoken. People of Hispanic
background have lived in
what is now the United
States since the 17th
century.
Hispanic Americans

In 1990 the U.S. census
counted 22.3 million Hispanic
Americans.

An additional 2 to 3 million
illegal Hispanic immigrants live
in the United States.

Hispanic Americans are the
fastest-growing minority group

Experts predict that Hispanic
Americans will number more
than 50 million by the year
2025.
Mexican Americans
Cinco de Mayo commemorates a Mexican military
victory. On May 5, 1862, a relatively small Mexican
force defeated invading French troops in the Battle of
Puebla. Today, Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican
culture and heritage.
“Tex-Mex”





“Tex-Mex” are Mexicans from
Texas.
Example of Musical style
Sung in Spanish but its
influenced by German and
Czech polkas, waltzes, and
other musical styles brought
to the state by European
settlers in the mid to late
1800s.
Heard at weddings,
anniversaries, graduation
parties and festivals.
Large population in South
and Central Texas.
Puerto Ricans

The second largest subgroup with 2.7
million Puerto Ricans live in the United
States, primarily in New York and New
Jersey.

Another 3.5 million live in Puerto Rico, a
commonwealth associated with the
United States.

Received Federal benefits that some
believe trapped them in poverty because
of commonwealth status.

Discrimination in employment and
education trapped them.
Percussionist Tito Puente, born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents,
Cuban Americans

Third largest subgroup

Number about 1 million
concentrated in Florida,
especially in the Miami area.

Cuban immigrants from 1958

mostly well-educated members
of the middle and upper-middle
classes, with a partial
knowledge of English and a
clear sense of national identity.

Political force in Florida
Other Hispanic Groups

Since the 1970s, civil wars and economic turmoil in Latin America have brought
substantial numbers of emigrants from other countries.

About 500,000 Salvadorans immigrated to the United States during the 1980s.
These Salvadoran immigrants settled primarily in Washington, D.C., Florida,
Massachusetts, and California.

Also in the 1980s, civil war in Nicaragua drove around 800,000 Nicaraguans to
the United States.

In the Dominican Republic, a shrinking job market and political unrest resulted in
a large immigration of Dominicans to the United States, particularly to New York
City.

Colombian Americans, numbering about 352,000 in 1990, are the largest group
of Hispanic Americans with roots in South America.

Created distinct Hispanic American communities, each struggling to establish a
unique identity in the United States.
Hispanic Differences


To varying degrees, Hispanic cultures
have been influenced by Jewish, Muslim,
Catholic, Spanish, African, Asian, and
Native American traditions.
Many people from Latin America are
mestizos (people of mixed European and
Native American ancestry) or mulattos
(people of mixed African and European
ancestry).

Dealing with very educated and
uneducated, poor and rich, legal and
illegal--and all in between.

Factor in the degree to which they have
adopted “American” cultures and values.

Attempts to unify Hispanic Americans
under a single banner have often created
tensions.

Cuban Americans, Mexican Americans,
and Puerto Ricans often have little in
common.

Easier to identify with other minorities.

Cuban Americans have often allied
themselves politically with Jewish
Americans. Puerto Ricans have built
similar alliances with African Americans.

Mexicans are often characterized as
dishonest, criminals and bums (RandallDavid, 1993) by other Hispanics.
Counseling Implications







Much diversity within the
culture.
Extended family is often
important to clients.
Behavior and its impact on
family rather than self often
important.
Negative over-identification
with culture can lead to
dysfunction I.e. gang
involvement.
Language issues.
Be Multiculturally competent.
Who is he?
Review
 Utah
has small minority population
 Minority issues highlighted because
they are such a small part of the
population
 Cultural Competency
Conclusion
“Unintentional behavior is perhaps the
most insidious form of racism.
Unintentional racists are unaware of the
harmful consequences of their behavior.
They may be well-intentioned, and on the
surface, their behavior may appear to be
responsible….The major challenge facing
counselors is to overcome unintentional
racism and provide more equitable
service delivery (Sue et al., 1998).”
An Overview of Cultural
Differences
Kris Lublin and Talon Greeff
This training presentation is available for download at:
www.utahparenting.org
© 2007 Utah Youth Village.