Diversity | Social Science homework help

REQUIRED READING RESOURCES

· Lamont, M., & Small, M. L. (2010). Cultural diversity and anti‐poverty policy. 


International Social Science JournalLinks to an external site.


, 61(199), 169–180. Retrieved from http://scholar.harvard.edu/files/lamont/files/cultural_diversity_and_anti-poverty.pdf

· American Psychological Association. (2016). 

Ethnic and racial minorities & socioeconomic status
Links to an external site.
. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/factsheet-erm.aspx

Post your response to the following:

· Describe aspects of your culture that can be attributed to class.

· Explain the relationship of class to race, ethnicity, age, and/or gender.

Respond to two colleagues:

· Compare and contrast your experience of class with that of your colleague.

· Explain why it is important to consider class in conjunction with other identity characteristics a client may hold.

RESPONSE1

Research has been done that focuses on the community level and the consequences of neighborhood poverty and living in a neighborhood of poorer individuals (Lamont & Small, 2010). For me, this is the opposite. I come from a lower-class family but have lived in a prominently upper-class community. In my culture, we were always raised to believe that money was not significant;  that family was. My grandmother always told me to follow my dreams, do what is right, and God and the angels would provide. My grandmother passed this along to all of her grandchildren. We were never rich but always wealthy with love and family. I was also raised by a single mother who worked three jobs to give me everything I needed. My mom always taught me to never depend on a man or anyone else and pushed me to succeed. Growing up in a high-class community with little money affected my mental health. There were many times that I felt “less than” because of my status. I did not have all the fancy clothes and cars that those around me had, and I often compared myself to others. 
I also only spent a small quantity of time outside of my neighborhood. I attended a prominently white school, with few minorities in my class and only about two African Americans. Those who spend more time outside their community are more likely to see racial discrimination as a serious obstacle (Lamont & Small, 2010). Because of the little time spent outside my community, I could not see the discrimination and challenges that others faced. I lived most of my life in a bubble, unable to see the privileges that I held. 

References

Lamont, M., & Small, M. L. (2010). Cultural diversity and anti‐poverty policy. International Social Science JournalLinks to an external site., 61(199), 169–180. Retrieved from http://scholar.harvard.edu/files/lamont/files/cultural_diversity_and_anti-poverty.pdf

RESPONSE2

Some aspects of my culture that can be attributed to class are education, social networks, and worldviews. For example, before my generation, my family’s class was considered lower class and education was never a priority or affordable in my family’s past generations. However, more family members in my generation consider education of value and understand that when a higher education is pursued, it can lead to a higher class in society.  

According to (“Ethnic and Racial Minorities & Socioeconomic Status,” 2017), socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity are closely connected and can help determine an individual’s socioeconomic status. The article also mentions the importance of understanding how social statuses intersect (“Ethnic and Racial Minorities & Socioeconomic Status,” 2017). And, by utilizing the understanding of intersectionality, social workers can better address class in relationship to race, ethnicity, age, and gender. 

Not all individuals have the same lived experiences, therefore, social workers need to be informed about the different ways that culture and classes are connected.  

References: 

Ethnic and racial minorities & socioeconomic status. (2017, July 21). 

https://www.apa.org
Links to an external site.
. 
https://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/minorities
Links to an external site.