Running Head: Foundations of Human Development in the Social Environment 1

Foundations of Human Development in the Social Environment
Loreen Pettola
BSHS/325
October 7, 2013
Maria Perrota MA, Med, Doctorial Candidate

Foundations of Human Development in Social Environment 2
Human diversity is the difference among people and how those differences make an effect on society. These differences can include biological, social, and cultural differences.
Diversity and Cultural Competence
Two recent events have made the need for “cultural competence”— understanding the specific cultural, language, social and economic nuances of particular people and families—more important than ever. One is the civil rights movement that began in the 1950s, in which African Americans, women, gays and lesbians, people with disabilities, and other minority groups alerted the country to their distinct identities and long histories of oppression. The other is the growing number of new immigrants to this country, who bring with them unique cultural, language, religious, and political backgrounds. Histories of internal displacement within their own countries, torture, political oppression, and extreme poverty abound among immigrant communities. Melding these backgrounds with the history, experiences, and expectations of U.S. born ethnic and diverse populations creates both challenges and opportunities for social workers.
It is fair to say that both helping professionals and society at large have a long way to go to gain cultural competence. Fortunately, social workers represent a group of service providers with a longstanding history of understanding both people’s differences and the impact of social injustices on their well being. Today, many social workers are adding cultural competence to these already existing strengths and values, making them particularly well-equipped