Admission Ticket Chapter Fifteen

“I don’t know the meaning of the symbols of our culture. Instead, I know the symbols of the Catholic faith (Sue & Sue, 2013; pg 386).” 

What is the impact of exposure to two different cultures? Do they lose their cultural heritage by adopting the dominant culture? Indian children and adolescents face the same issues like other youths. They are also confronted with cultural conflicts over their exposure to the distinct ways of life. A majority of the children are torn in between cultural expectations to maintain traditional values and the need to adopt the dominant culture. Some of the children perceive Indian culture as a problem. Boys, in particular, noted that being Indian is a problem while some girls have negative feelings about living. The majority of Indians are assimilated and observe the values of the larger society. A client's identification to one's culture should always be considered in counseling/therapy sessions. A counselor should therefore discuss with the customer about culture, language, residential background and their identity. The discussion will help in identifying the underlying factors and tailor the therapy per the needs of the client. Therapeutic processes are different for people living in urban areas and reservations. Individuals who still hold onto their cultures may not be familiar with the expectations of the majority's' culture. They may end up trying to develop skills and resources to deal with the dominant society. However, American Indians who are assimilated are likely to examine value and self-identity conflicts. By doing so, they might deny or experience diminishing pride in Indian heritage. They might be pressured to adopt the values of the dominant culture. They can also be guilty of not knowing or participating in their culture. They can have negative views concerning their people. Lastly, they can lack extended support. Therapists need to know the level of acculturation to determine the best therapeutic interventions. Only by understanding the extent of cultural change can they develop successful programs that address the underlying issue (Sue & Sue, 2013). 

Reference  

Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2013).  Counselling the Culturally Diverse: Theory and Practice  (6th ed.). Hobroken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons