Acculturation Issues in Multicultural Counseling Transcript Slide 1: Levels of Acculturation Levels of acculturation refers to how much a member of society feels they are part of that society. Let’s look at some terms and definitions first. Acculturation can be defined as “to incorporate new and old cultures.” A similar term, assimilation is described as the sacrifice of old culture in exchange for new culture. For many minority clients, their level of acculturation may influence how they view themselves as well as members from their own group, particularly related to power. Acculturation, however, can bring with it a level of acculturative stress. Slide 2: Acculturative StressAcculturative stress refers to the psychological, somatic, and social difficulties that may accompany the acculturation processes. It often manifests in anxiety, depression and other forms of mental and physical maladaptation. The immigrant health paradox is an example of this issue. Spend a few minutes researching the paradox online. We'll be using it for another activity during this week. Slide 3: Acculturation and Multicultural Counseling Those in the multicultural counseling field frame acculturation for diverse individuals as acculturative conflicts. These are conflicts that occur with one’s home culture and the new culture. Manifestations of acculturative conflicts be broken into categories including: Generational, values, language, gender roles, social systems, counseling/psychotherapy, cultural preferences, and racism/discrimination. The next page compares specific examples of acculturative conflicts from your reading. Case Comparisons Wu's Acculturation and Stress Generational - In Vietnam, my generation would never question the older generations; this is not true in the U.S.Values - There is a group mentality, tend not to seek the spotlight. Children’s place in the family is center; periphery. Language - Impossible to learn new language and culture; conflict over whether to keep Vietnamese language or not. Gender roles -As the first son, I've got a job to do; sacrifices. Social systems - I've gone through foster parents, adoption, and 1-2 vs. 3-12 school experiences (“skipping,” sports, peer groups) Counseling/psychotherapy - Traditionally, this is a foreign concept; need to relate it to holistic wellness Cultural preferences - Clear preference for American culture; | do not consider myself.a Vietnamese person Racism/Discrimination -| don’t even remember experiencing prejudice Esteban’s Acculturation and Stress Generational - Not many issues considering my arrival and when | was reunited with parents Values - We have respect for parents, motherland, freedom, and need for extended family (“familismo”) ‘pssnacomententerat omsWFMACICNSTA 7 Docunershnsnton Tenenas. 4 ease ssn Ml Cael Tat Language - | overcompensated for lack of American cultural identity by attaining CALP; hold on to Spanish Gender roles - Males play a dominant role, macho; we adopt a more egalitarian worldview and importance of maturity Social systems - Catholic church, charities, schools; Work force market related to parents; peer groups growing up Counseling/psychotherapy - No clear understanding of counseling; need to keep things private; “personalismo” Cultural preferences - Integrated biculturalism; Cubano temporarily in US; “socialculturalpsychological abortion” Racism/Discrimination - Not overt, sometimes feel as if | am not seen as Caucasian by (ignorant) U.S. Anglo Saxons ‘pssnacomentenserat omiNWFMACICNSTA7Docunershksnton Teneo wu