Reference no: EM133644793 , Length: 3 Pages

Assignment 1: Autobiography/Cultural Identity Analysis Paper (2 to 3 pages)

Investigate, reflect upon, and write about culture from the vantage point of your own heritage. Create a list of the top 3-5 life experiences that you consider significant in the shaping of your cultural identity (culture broadly defined, as discussed in class). Obviously, your ability to do this presumes a degree of understanding of your cultural uniqueness. Address the learned elements of your cultural identity (these go beyond ethnic and/or racial features you are born with). Include typical and/or exceptional events from your childhood, school years, religious life, family life, etc.; memorable encounters with individuals of various backgrounds; etc. Some people never consider themselves as cultural; rather they associate "culture" with minorities, immigrants, and foreigners. I want you to think of yourselves as cultural as well as multicultural beings. Also, address how you see or expect to see this self-understanding impacting your helping/counseling work.

Use the following as a guide to structure your paper:

• Provide a brief overview of where you were born, when, the number of siblings (if any), your parents/guardians, and activities performed by parents/caregivers and siblings (i.e., job and social). Answer the following questions: Why am I taking this class? Who am I? What is my cultural background? Which cultural identity is most salient for me? How do I feel about my cultural group? How do I know if this is true?
• Describe your religious and spiritual influences, sexual orientation, ability/disability status, social culture, socioeconomic status, and how you and the shared similarities and differences among family members. Also, what similarities and differences exist between you, your family, and other families that share your cultural identity?
• Consider and describe how your cultural background (i.e., characteristics and values) will (likely) affect your work as a counselor/helper working with culturally diverse clients. Based on your upbringing, what are some stereotypes, prejudices, assumptions, and biases about different cultural groups? Where did these stereotypes, prejudices, assumptions, and biases come from? How do your values differ from your family values, and how do they differ?
• Which cultural group will be most difficult for you to work with at this moment in your life? What are my fears and discomforts about groups that are different from me? What are your strengths and limitations to working with individuals from cultures the same and different than your own? Where do you see yourself in your racial identity development? Explain why you believe this to be true.
• Make connections about who you are and the steps you will engage in this semester to strengthen your personal and cultural sensitivity awareness.