culture and society

Culture

Culture refers to the shared beliefs, practices, and other factors that bind a group or community together. This culture values identity, conformity, and societal participation. Values, language, institutions, practices, regulations, technology, and norms are examples of cultural entities. Individuals are cultured when they get absorbed to one of these entities. In the case study below, culture determines how an individual behaves to various stages in their lives. Culture influences how people respond to contemporary situations that differ from their traditions and society’s expectations.

Benjamin’s Background

Benjamin is of Vietnamese and African American ancestry. Both cultures are opposed to his gay sexual orientation. His parents start raising concerns when they discover his gay box. They starting raising concerns and in fact his mother booked several appointments to an urologist but he canceled all of them. His father was also concerned but was not quick to criticize him, he had noted “peculiar” behavior since his son was young and wasn’t interested in manly activities. However, he supported his wife in ensuring Benjamin pursued help and be “fixed”. Jessica on her first session asked about Benjamin’s background and it was the clear source of his psychological issue. The cultures he had come from was against his sexual orientation therefore extreme pressure to conform was expected.

Acculturative Stress

Acculturative stress is a psychological effect of assimilating a new culture. The parentage of the parents is from the minority tribes and are used to different cultures from the dominant cultures. Benjamin had suffered psychological problems in terms of sexual orientation and choice of an academic major. His boyfriend could no longer stomach his unending complains on these situations. Benjamin consulted Jessica who had just acquired her psychologist license to practice with no experience on multicultural concepts, she however had realized what she had learned on her curriculum was less information compared to what she had learned from the website. The culture beliefs and norms from both parents sides was largely the reason Benjamin was disturbed and uneasy, His boyfriend seemed not bothered much about their situation until he started complaining a lot about the pressures from his community and family. The culture is responsible for the pressures he encounters leading him to his isolation and separation with even his boyfriend. All this encounters indicate that Benjamin is suffering from high acculturative stress culminating from poor acculturation. He cannot run away from this unless the culture could be less or more lenient and considerate to his way of life.

Cultural Explanation

The sexual orientation issue Benjamin faces affects him more due to the concerns raised by his parents. It is a culture thing from both sides is against being gay. In the past years both sides of his parents were totally against the gay practice and it was unacceptable in every sense of the word. A man who was identified to engage in such practices was faced with severe consequences .His dad is however used to a diverse culture having lived in the United States of America. He had noted the distinct character of Benjamin was unusual since he was young and was not very surprised to learn of his sexual orientation. His mother on the other side was more perplexed and became extremely concerned that she had several appointments with an urologist setup. People considered gay still face so much stigma and isolation in both communities. Many are psychologically disturbed and suffer in silence as it is difficult to seek any sought of help associated with such sexual orientation. Despite the changes over the years and recognition of gay rights it is still difficult to convince majority of people since they are still inclined in their cultures and see no valid reason that should warrant these practices. Their cultures reason for abolishing this sexual orientation according to them still way more than allowing it.

Culture vs. Personality

The culture of Benjamin conflicts with his personality.as much as he endures pressure to change and get “fixed” he is firm on what he real is. Despite his mother making several appointments with hope he will change his sexual orientation her efforts are not fruitful. His father also advices him to change since it is not good for their culture but to no avail. The culture makes him psychologically disturbed since he cannot fit in the society. Jessica on the initial stages of his sessions begins by conducting a background check on the background of Benjamin. She realized that it is of a black American father and a Vietnamese mother who had met after the war. Coming from a cultures that were totally against such sexual orientation acceptance would be a very difficult task. The way Benjamin does not submit to his parents forced change shows he firm and cannot be pressured to conformity. Jessica also brings out a very crucial element that is underestimated in the course of his education, she points out how her professors’ failed to treat the issue of multicultural with the elaborate attention it deserves. She had to personally conduct further research from the internet to be in a better position to give the required assistance to Benjamin. The young psychologist is very passionate as she is willing to go the extra mile to ensure Benjamin happiness is not compromised by society’s views and perceptions.

Culturally sensitive Treatment

Benjamin is now in a contemporary generation that gays are slowly being protected by the law. He needs to be enlightened on the experiences of other individual undergoing similar circumstances. Experience is the best teacher and also interaction with those in such situations will serve a great deal in the healing process. The use of others experiencing similar fates has proved as a very reliable means of healing(American Psychological Association,2003).another remedy could be the incorporation of his parents in the process, this is also a very effective solution to cultural sensitivity. Benjamin’s sexual orientation seems at least to be the first the family has encountered and they are not sure of the best way to handle it. His parents have always loved him so much until they learned of the gay box. This put his relationship with parents in jeopardy and was followed by a series of disputes. If the parents are involved and oversee the entire process they are well quipped on the best viable way to handle such concerns (Boyd-Franklin, 2010). Being a new and unique challenge the only way they could handle it was to inconformity with their cultures, all they need is to be enlightened on the contemporary changes that have embraced on such matters. Benjamin’s father was not so much bothered about his sons early unusual conducts as if he was he would be prompt to remedy it the sooner. This indicates that he was not so much inclined to culture and almost embraced diversity.

Conclusion

Benjamin is among many individuals that are facing challenges due to their sexual orientation which is unacceptable by their cultures. He becomes frustrated, isolated and cannot maintain relationship since the pressure to live a lifestyle which is dictated by the society is becoming unbearable.by seeking professional help he is motivated by an array of hope that he will somehow escape the bitter truth. Individuals need to be understood and given a chance to live freely regardless of their sexual orientation.

References

American Psychological Association. (2003). Psychological Treatment of Ethnic Minority Populations. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/brochures/treatment-minority.

Boyd-Franklin, N. (2010). Incorporating Spirituality and Religion into the Treatment of African American Clients. The Counselling Psychologists

Hari, J. (2011).The Hidden History of Homosexuality in the US. Retrieved on 11 December,2017 from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/johann-hari-the-hidden-history-of-homosexuality-in-the-us-2300636.html

Sperry, L. (2005). Case conceptualization: A strategy for incorporating individual, couple, and family dynamics in the treatment process. The American Journal of Family Therapy,33, 189–194. Doi: 10.1080/01926180590932627

Sue, D. W. & Sue, D. (2016). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice. (7th Ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Wedding, D. (2009). International Book Review: Selected Review from PsycCRITIQUES on Cultural Formulation: A Reader for Psychiatric Diagnosis. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/international/pi/2009/07/book-review.aspx