Multiculturalism and Intersectionality

Address multicultural and intersectional issues that may be impacting the family. Review the systemic issues that impact family values, perspectives, culture, and expectations through a multicultural lens. Be sure to explore the privileges each family member has and any structural disadvantages the family might have from a societal perspective. Examine how each family member may see the world from their intersectionality of gender, socioeconomic status, gender identity, race, religion, cultural values, abilities, age, et cetera. Also, explore your own privileges as you engage with the different family members.

1. Review the NASW Standards and Indicators for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice [PDF] and apply the impact of two standards to either an individual family member or to the entire family. Use multicultural theoretical perspectives to identify the issues and evidence-based interventions for working with this area of concern.

2. Clearly identify the intersectionality (race, class, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, gender identity, etc.) of one family member and the impact on their behavior, choices, and current perspectives as it relates to their experiences. Identify evidence-based interventions for this area of concern from a social work perspective and explain why you selected them.

Client:

Joe Campbell

· Joe is a 35 year old Caucasian male who is estranged from his father Bob. Joe has not talked to Bob since his father left the family over 25 years ago. Joe’s mother is in the local nursing home, after having been diagnosed with early onset dementia at the age of 57. Joe says he picks his mom up every Sunday to attend the Lutheran church. He reports

· being very close to his mother, and says he is frustrated that Karen and the kids refuse to go to church with them.

· Joe has two older sisters who live in the same town. He says he tries to see them, but Karen doesn’t get along with them, so “it’s not really worth the effort.”

· Joe is an Army veteran and served for two years in Afghanistan after his high school graduation, shortly after marrying Karen.

· Joe is a long–haul truck driver. He was once a police officer, but he was injured on the job 10 years ago. After he left the force, he started working for his brother–in–law’s trucking business. He says it helps his marriage to be away from home for long periods of time, but because he is gone so much, the kids don’t listen and “everything has fallen apart.”

· Joe is an active member of the American Legion and he is there most nights that he is not working, talking to the other police officers and community members.

· Joe says Karen was his high school girlfriend, and when she got pregnant he did the right thing by marrying her. He says he joined the Army so he could provide a better life for his family, and he was devastated when Karen moved out of their home to live with her mother.. He says he had to beg her to come back, and it was only after she became pregnant with Jacob that they reconciled.

· Joe says he left again two years ago and moved in with his sister and brother“in”law after Karen’s mother died. Karen had started to drink heavily, and began to be angry and violent towards him. He moved back home about a year ago when he realized his kids were out of control and Karen needed some help in dealing with their behaviors.

· Joe said in his individual intake that he wants a divorce. “I can’t stand Karen, her drinking, and how she has given up, but I am afraid for my kids if I leave,” he said. “They’re already a mess because of her, and if I leave, who knows what will happen?”

· Joe smokes cigarettes on a daily basis and “drinks beers with the guys.” He denies any previous psychological diagnosis.