As we live in an increasingly diverse society, it is important to be aware of our own values, biases, and prejudices. As social workers, it is important to recognize and acknowledge how our beliefs may influence our interactions with clients and others. Our beliefs toward diversity have been shaped in large part by the social institutions in our lives, such as family, religion, education, the media, etc. Our involvement in these institutions has influenced what we hold as “truth” or “fact” about difference, as well as how we think, feel, and react toward those who we perceive as different.
The purpose of this paper is to identify your own values and beliefs toward categories of difference and demonstrate critical thinking in describing how those values and beliefs may impact your ability to function effectively in a diverse social environment. Assignment meets Core Competencies 1.1, 1.2, 2.3, 3.2
GUIDELINES: The paper should be 8-10 pages in length, typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman font, 12-point font. Use the below five categories of difference to structure (i.e., section) the paper.
Describe your beliefs (i.e., what they are) toward categories of difference and how the significant social institutions in your life (ex: family, school, religion, media) have influenced them.
Address each category of difference:
Ethnic or racial heritage
Gender
Socioeconomic group (income, education)
Sexual orientation
People with disabilities
For each, describe how your beliefs toward these categories of difference have changed over your life course and any significant event, relationship, or person that influenced the change.
For each, identify and discuss any biases you have toward these categories of difference, and how your biases could influence the ways you interact with members of those groups.
