【澳洲田野】7||从 “能力” 到 “意识”：社会工作者在案例中的蜕变

熤园

文｜杨思颖（硕士、田野规划师）

• 【项目名称】澳洲田野规划研究
• 【项目摘要】在社会工作领域，文化多样性对实践效果有着至关重要的影响。本研究受“From Cultural Competence to Cultural Consciousness: Transitioning to a Critical Approach to Working Across Differences in Social Work” /《从文化胜任力到文化意识：转向批判性的社会工作差异应对方法》一文启发，通过剖析 Kate 与父母冲突、Christine 面临癌症困境这两个典型案例，深入探讨如何从文化意识层面出发，重新审视社会工作者在处理复杂家庭和个人问题时的方法与策略，旨在提升社会工作专业实践能力，为多元文化背景下的社会服务提供更有效的指导。
• 【关 键 词】社会工作案例；文化意识；反压迫实践；生态系统理论；优势视角理论
• 【资助单位】长沙玖业教育咨询有限公司
• 【学术单位】湖南师范大学民族学与人类学研究中心



双语字幕视频讲解

（无法转载视频，看视频请点击文章末尾的查看原文）

本期公众号文章所附视频为双语字幕版本，旨在为不同语言背景的读者提供便利，无论是母语为中文还是英文的朋友，都能更轻松地理解视频内容

In the field of social work, understanding cultural diversity and effectively addressing the needs of individuals and families from various backgrounds is crucial. It's not just about providing help; it's about providing the right kind of help, tailored to each person's unique circumstances. And that's exactly what we're going to explore today.

I'm currently preparing for the role plays in SOWK915, and I've been incredibly influenced by an article titled “From Cultural Competence to Cultural Consciousness: Transitioning to a Critical Approach to Working Across Differences in Social Work” written by Corry Azzopardi and Ted McNeill in 2016. This article has opened my eyes to new ways of approaching the cases my partner and I have chosen for this assessment.

Let's talk about the cases first.

The first one involves Kate, a 16 - year - old. After a fight with her parents, she's been staying at her friend's house. Even though she's been told she has to leave after her exams, she refuses to go back home and says she'd rather live on the street.

The second case is about Christine, a 48 - year - old. She's a cancer patient, a widowed mother of three teenagers, and a full - time teacher. With her family in South Australia, she has limited support in NSW. These cases are complex, involving family relationships, personal health issues, and social support. They really require us to have a detailed understanding of the clients' cultural backgrounds and individual situations.

Before reading this article, my way of dealing with these cases might have been too focused on quick fixes. For example, I might have just tried to convince Kate to make up with her parents or helped Christine arrange for home care. But after reading the article, I've realized the importance of a much deeper understanding.

Cultural consciousness isn't just about knowing there are cultural differences; it's about understanding how culture and diversity shape people's meanings and experiences in complex ways.

Take Kate's case. Her refusal to go home could be due to more than just a simple argument. It might be related to different cultural values in her family, like how different generations view independence and authority. I need to approach her with “respectful curiosity,” as suggested by Dyche and Zayas in 1995. Instead of just telling her to go home, I should have a conversation that validates her feelings and tries to find out the real reasons behind the conflict. This is in line with the article's emphasis on understanding individuals through clinical empathy. By showing empathy, I can build trust with Kate, which is really important for any effective help I want to give.

For Christine, her situation is affected by many cultural factors. As a cancer patient, she might face stigma and fear in society. Being a single mother, she has the extra stress of raising teenagers by herself. And as a teacher, she has her professional duties that she might not want to give up. I need to think about how these different parts of her identity affect her well - being. Using the ecological and strengths - based approaches from the article, I can look at both the individual and environmental factors. On a small scale, I can focus on her personal strengths and how she copes. On a larger scale, I can look for community resources and advocate for policy changes that could help her. For example, I could help her connect with local cancer support groups or fight for more flexible work arrangements for cancer patients.

The article also talked about the importance of being aware of ourselves in social work. I realized that my own cultural background, values, and biases can affect how I see these cases.

In Kate's case, I might have some pre - set ideas about teenage rebellion based on my own experiences or cultural norms. I need to be careful of these biases and make sure I'm really listening to what Kate needs.

The same goes for Christine. I can't just assume I know what's best for her based on my own ideas about family and work. By thinking about my position in the power dynamic, I can avoid forcing my ideas on her and work with her to find solutions that fit her values and goals. Anti - oppressive practice is also very important in both cases. Kate might be facing unfair power situations in her family, and Christine might have trouble getting good healthcare and support because she's a single mother. I need to be on the lookout for these power imbalances and work to fix them. This could mean challenging the traditional power structures in Kate's family to make sure her voice is heard or fighting for better social policies and support systems for single mothers like Christine.

In conclusion, this article has really changed how I think about the role plays in SOWK915. It's made me understand that in social work, we need a much deeper and more critical understanding of cultural diversity. I'm now more determined to approach each case with cultural consciousness, using evidence - based knowledge, a comprehensive conceptual framework, and the right intervention strategies.

I know this is an ongoing process. I'll have to keep reflecting on my practice and learn from every experience to become a better social worker. I also understand how important it is to work with my partner. We need to talk about these new ideas and include them in our role - play scenarios. By working together, we can look at the cases from different angles and come up with more complete and culturally sensitive intervention plans. For example, we can act out different situations where we explore the power dynamics in Kate's family or fight for Christine's rights in a healthcare setting. This teamwork will not only help us understand the cases better but also improve our ability to work well as a team, which is a key skill in social work.

The article also stressed the importance of considering the broader social and political context in our work. In both Kate's and Christine's cases, social policies and cultural norms play a big role. For Kate, educational policies and community support for teenagers can have a huge impact on her situation. If there were more accessible resources like counseling services or youth shelters for teenagers with family problems, it could give her more choices. For Christine, healthcare policies and workplace rules can greatly affect her ability to manage her treatment and family responsibilities.

As social workers, we need to be aware of these policies and speak up for change when it's needed. This means we not only provide direct help to our clients but also get involved in broader social advocacy to solve systemic problems. Another thing I'll apply in the role - plays is the use of evidence - based knowledge. I'll do research and look at existing studies related to family conflicts among teenagers, the experiences of cancer patients, and the challenges faced by single - parent families. This will help me make more informed decisions and offer more effective support. For instance, studies on the effectiveness of different communication strategies in family counseling can guide my interactions with Kate and her parents. Similarly, research on the impact of social support on cancer patients' recovery can help me decide what kind of support to offer Christine.

I'll also pay more attention to the role of the agency and institutional context in these cases.

In Kate's situation, the school and its policies can either help or hinder her access to support. If the school has a culture of understanding and open communication, it can be a great resource for Kate. But if the school has a strict approach to discipline or lacks proper ways for students to share their concerns, it could make the problem worse.

For Christine, the hospital where she's getting treatment and her workplace are also very important. The hospital's support services and the flexibility of her workplace policies can have a big impact on her overall well - being. I'll think about how to work within these institutions to ensure that Kate and Christine get the best possible support.

Finally, I know that this assessment isn't just about doing well in the role - plays. It's also about learning and growing as a social worker. I'll use this chance to practice the skills and concepts I learned from the article and ask for feedback from my partner, instructor, and peers. I believe that through continuous reflection, learning, and practice, I can develop the cultural consciousness and critical thinking skills needed to provide high - quality social work services in different situations. This experience will be a big step forward for me in being able to meet the complex needs of individuals and families in real - world social work.

（作者：杨思颖，女，熤园2024届硕士，澳大利亚伍伦贡大学25级新生）

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延伸阅读

田野学新书出版信息

熤园导师谭必友教授新著《田野中国学先驱：严如熤传》出版

谭必友教授等新著《田野中国学论纲：基于浦市田野的学术反思》出版

熤园新书：《浦市文化论集：田野中国学学步集》正式出版

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编 辑

文图：杨思颖

审阅：陈博文

编辑：周歆悦

供 稿

长沙玖业教育咨询有限公司

营 运

泸溪县谭子兴文化研究会

湘西州谭氏苗拳文化研究会

学术支持

湖南师范大学民族学与人类学研究中心

长沙文创艺术职业学院田野规划与乡村振兴研究院



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