Question

Please provide a description of “cultural competence” and describe what a culture encompasses. Then describe two examples of a culture of which you are a member.

Answer 1

Cultural competence involves understanding and appropriately responding to the unique combination of cultural variables and the full range of dimensions of diversity that the professional and client/patient/family bring to interactions.

"Culture and cultural diversity can incorporate a variety of factors, including but not limited to age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity (encompasses gender expression), national origin (encompasses related aspects e.g., ancestry, culture, language, dialect, citizenship, and immigration status), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran status. Linguistic diversity can accompany cultural diversity." (ASHA, 2017)

The client/patient population reflects a wide array of differences and similarities across cultural variables. Professional competence requires that audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) practice in a manner that considers each client's/patient's/family's cultural and linguistic characteristics and unique values so that the most effective assessment and intervention services can be provided (ASHA, 2004, 2006).

Developing cultural competence is a dynamic and complex process requiring ongoing self-assessment and continuous expansion of one's cultural knowledge. It evolves over time, beginning with an understanding of one's own culture, continuing through interactions with individuals from various cultures, and extending through one's own lifelong learning.

Clinical approaches—such as interview style, assessment tools, and therapeutic techniques—that are appropriate for one individual may not be appropriate for another. It is important to recognize that the unique influence of an individual's cultural and linguistic background may change over time and according to circumstance (e.g., interactions in the workplace, with authority figures, within a social context), necessitating adjustments in clinical approaches.

Cultural competence in service delivery is increasingly important to

• respond to demographic changes in the United States;
• eliminate long-standing disparities in the health status of people based on racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds;
• Improve the quality of services and health outcomes; and meet legislative, regulatory, and accreditation mandates.

In addition, cultural competence can contribute to a competitive edge in the marketplace and decrease the likelihood of liability/malpractice claims.

Indian culture

The culture of India refers collectively to the thousands of distinct and unique cultures of all religions and communities present in India. India's languages, religions, dance, music, architecture, food, and customs differs from place to place within the country. The Indian culture, often labeled as an amalgamation of several cultures, spans across the Indian subcontinent and has been influenced by a history that is several millenniums old.

Festivals: India, being a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, celebrates holidays and festivals of various religions. The three national holidays in India, the Independence Day, the Republic Day and the Gandhi Jayanti, are celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm across India. In addition, many Indian states and regions have local festivals depending on prevalent religious and linguistic demographics. Popular religious festivals include the Hindu festivals of Navratri, Janmashtami, Diwali, Maha Shivratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja, Holi, Rath Yatra, Ugadi, Onam, Vasant Panchami, Rakshabandhan, and Dussehra. Several harvest festivalssuch as Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Raja sankaranti swinging festival are also fairly popular.

Indian New year festival are celebrated in different part of India with unique style in different times. Ugadi, Bihu, Gudhi Padwa, Puthandu,

Marriages: Arranged marriages have long been the norm in Indian society. Even today, the majority of Indians have their marriages planned by their parents and other respected family-members.