Strategies for fostering productive relationships with individuals whose culture and lifestyle differ from our own.
“Acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experience and generate social behavior.“
“Culture is as much, or as little, as the everyday experiences, people, events, smells, sounds, and habits of behavior that characterize…lives. “
Most volunteer work is focused on helping individuals from the low-income communities. It is important to learn how to communicate effectively and respectfully with people whose cultural background is different than our own
The main barriers encountered when trying to bridge communication cross-culturally are Stereotypes. These mechanisms are a natural way of thinking for humans, but we also …show more content…
In fact, poor working adults work, on average, 2,500 hours per year, the rough equivalent of 1.2 full-time jobs (2)
(Waldron, Roberts, & Reamer, 2004)
Poor people are substance abusers.
Low-income people in the U.S. are less likely to use or abuse alcohol than their wealthier counterparts (1). There is little evidence that low-income people are more likely than wealthier people to use illicit drugs. Drug use in the U.S. is distributed fairly evenly across income levels (2).
Poor people do not value education.
Poor families invest just as much time as their wealthier counterparts exploring school options for their children (1); and data from the more than 20,000 families showed that: “poor parents reported engaging their children in home-learning activities as often as non-poor parents” (2).
Poor people are bad parents.
Longitudinal studies of low-income families (1) unequivocally denounced the “bad parent” stereotype. They concluded that “working class and poor parents are no less deeply committed … to the well-being of their children than are middle-class parents” (p. …show more content…
That might be the single most important thing that any of us…can do in our commitments to equity and diversity.”
Communicating with mentees from different socioeconomic backgrounds is pretty basic, but always keep in mind that what you’re really doing is showing the child that communication and relationships can flourish beyond social status or perceived differences.
Don’t be afraid to speak about the differences between you and your mentee (family structure, religious affiliation, ethnic group, etc.).
But be careful to not over-emphasize these differences since they can easily become inhibitors of a relationship as well.
-These are important aspects of an individual 's personality and can they serve as a way of getting to know each other better.
Remember to always be respectful in all aspects of communication especially nonverbal signals.
Respect is one of the foundations of every relationship. Your tone and body language will convey the message loud and clear, so be aware
Ask questions about the mentee 's life and culture that you are sincerely interested in knowing
“Acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experience and generate social behavior.“
“Culture is as much, or as little, as the everyday experiences, people, events, smells, sounds, and habits of behavior that characterize…lives. “
Most volunteer work is focused on helping individuals from the low-income communities. It is important to learn how to communicate effectively and respectfully with people whose cultural background is different than our own
The main barriers encountered when trying to bridge communication cross-culturally are Stereotypes. These mechanisms are a natural way of thinking for humans, but we also …show more content…
In fact, poor working adults work, on average, 2,500 hours per year, the rough equivalent of 1.2 full-time jobs (2)
(Waldron, Roberts, & Reamer, 2004)
Poor people are substance abusers.
Low-income people in the U.S. are less likely to use or abuse alcohol than their wealthier counterparts (1). There is little evidence that low-income people are more likely than wealthier people to use illicit drugs. Drug use in the U.S. is distributed fairly evenly across income levels (2).
Poor people do not value education.
Poor families invest just as much time as their wealthier counterparts exploring school options for their children (1); and data from the more than 20,000 families showed that: “poor parents reported engaging their children in home-learning activities as often as non-poor parents” (2).
Poor people are bad parents.
Longitudinal studies of low-income families (1) unequivocally denounced the “bad parent” stereotype. They concluded that “working class and poor parents are no less deeply committed … to the well-being of their children than are middle-class parents” (p. …show more content…
That might be the single most important thing that any of us…can do in our commitments to equity and diversity.”
Communicating with mentees from different socioeconomic backgrounds is pretty basic, but always keep in mind that what you’re really doing is showing the child that communication and relationships can flourish beyond social status or perceived differences.
Don’t be afraid to speak about the differences between you and your mentee (family structure, religious affiliation, ethnic group, etc.).
But be careful to not over-emphasize these differences since they can easily become inhibitors of a relationship as well.
-These are important aspects of an individual 's personality and can they serve as a way of getting to know each other better.
Remember to always be respectful in all aspects of communication especially nonverbal signals.
Respect is one of the foundations of every relationship. Your tone and body language will convey the message loud and clear, so be aware
Ask questions about the mentee 's life and culture that you are sincerely interested in knowing