Addressing Cultural Barriers in Education

This assignment requires a social worker to approach a community with non-conforming beliefs regarding education and vaccination. The worker must engage with the community, gain their trust, and understand their perspectives before influencing them. By adopting a holistic and organized approach based on the General Systems Theory of social science, the worker can effectively address cultural barriers and promote formal education and vaccinations for the community's children.

Running head: SOCIAL WORK
SOCIAL WORK
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Authors Note:

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Contents
Scenario 1........................................................................................................................................3
Summary of the case....................................................................................................................3
Why such a situation occurred?...................................................................................................3
What could have been done differently?.....................................................................................4
How could have this been approached?.......................................................................................5
Scenario 2........................................................................................................................................6
Summary of the case....................................................................................................................6
Why did this happen?..................................................................................................................6
What can be done differently?.....................................................................................................7
How can this be approached?......................................................................................................8
References........................................................................................................................................9

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Scenario 1
Summary of the case
The case manly revolves around disruption of ethnic harmony due to fear of
radicalization and less awareness about multicultural surroundings. The school, in the discussion
is located in a suburb, which has a low socio-economic background and has many students
coming from families living is public housing estates. The suburb’s multicultural nature is
reflected in the school, along with a large number of students belonging to the Islamic religion.
The population of the suburb also consists of a large number of pacific islanders, a small group
of Anglo cohort and a small Chinese group. Over the years, there have occurred some drastic
changes in the suburb in terms of multicultural reorientation, which has become a chief reason
for increased racial tensions. Numerous awareness sessions and discussions have been carried
out in the school in order to prevent “radicalization” of the students and to eradicate
“islamophobia”. Some students have been observed to show enormous faith in their religion
despite coming from liberal backgrounds. The Anglo community has raised concerns and
arguments on the community consultation day about the increased focus towards Muslim
practices. This principal of the school was unable to take this discussion well and the meeting
turned louder and increasingly oppositional.
Why such a situation occurred?
It is a known fact that terrorism and threat has a worldwide focus and there has been the
rise of intolerance at intercommunal levels, and various communities have grown suspicion
about each other due to recent events of “radicalization”, some cases of which are true and some
are false allegations. Radicalization of young individuals and vulnerable adults is feared among

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most communities. These are the root causes of the disruption in ethnic harmony of the
aforementioned school. The cultural diversity of the suburb is reflected in the student population
of the school; however, the discrimination is caused due to the increasing fear among the small
Anglo community. They are concerned that the school has a major focus on the Islamic religion
and are scared about radicalization phenomenon that has the possibility of occurrence. This may
also be an example of “islamophobia”. Despite creating awareness and encouraging tolerance,
the multicultural nature, with the emphasis on Muslims, is a major reason of concern for the
community comprising of the least population.
What could have been done differently?
Getting into the things that could have been done differently, would first require an
understanding of the basic concept from which the problems arise. There are two concepts that I
find important for discussion. First, practicing a religion and second, religious orthodoxy. Every
individual has the right the follow and practice whatever religion they deem suitable for
themselves, this is because different people have different ideologies and distinctly different
ways of expression. A religion is nothing but a set of beliefs and ideas held by a certain group of
people. It is a cultural system, which consists of certain designated practices and behaviors,
ethics, texts, worldviews and organizations (Cipriani, 2017). While there are many religions all
across the world, most individuals are not aware or find the practices of a different religion
uncomfortable. The main point is that following or practicing a certain religion is the
fundamental freedom of action that every individual possesses. Religious orthodoxy however is a
different phenomenon, where individuals not only strictly practice a certain religion, but also
impose their ideas and practices on other individuals (Stepaniants, 2017). This is somewhat
related to radicalization, as radicalization is a process in which individual take up extreme views

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about political, social or religious issues (Kruglanski et al., 2014). The parents of the minority
groups fear that radicalization may occur right in the school premises because of the increasing
population of Islamic students. Losing control of a situation like the one the principal was facing
is absolutely the last thing to do. In sensitive situations like these, it is essential to educate people
about these basic concepts, which would help widen the horizon of their perspectives.
The psychosocial theory developed by Erik Erikson states that individuals are “shaped by
and react to their social environment”. The scholar has explained that one individual comes in
contact with various social groups, and has to deal with various social crisis. These events help in
shaping the perception of the individual and his or her social nature. The crisis may include
“trust vs mistrust”, “intimacy vs isolation” and other aspects. In this particular case, the members
of the Islamic faith have been influenced by their social surroundings prevailing at their home
and worship places, which has led them in following the faith more seriously. However, based on
the same theory the phenomenon has been perceived negatively as the individuals of the minority
Anglo ethnic group has experienced various “crisis” related to the growth of “radicalization”,
throughout the world and hence, they have taken serious concerns.
How could have this been approached?
The ethical dilemma related to the case made it difficult for me to respond to the situation
at once, as the sentiments of both the communities had to be handled duly. The minority Amglo
ethnic community were in some portions justified in opposing the extra focus given by the
school to the Islamic students, whereas the Islamic population where justified in their part to
profess and preach their own religion. The problem was arising out of the context that the
preaching of the Islamic followers and their increase in population was misbalancing the
demographics, however both the sides were justified in their parts. The dilemma surrounded

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around the decision of whom to be held responsible for the worsening of the situation. The
conclusion was that it happened because of miscommunication and lack of intercultural
awareness.
Since it is my job the handle the situation, I would like to go ahead with my basic
knowledge and understanding of the situation. Firstly, I will need to make them aware about
“islamophobia” and explain how discrimination against a certain group can cause damage to the
emotional, economic and social wellbeing of the entire society. I would also like to explain them
about the various ways we raise awareness and introduce de-radicalization programs to avoid
any extremist views of the children. It is essential, that all the parents know that their children are
in safe hands and the educators take responsibility to guide the students towards a positive and
liberal path. I would also like to explain them about the prevent strategies that we adopt in order
to educate the children against terrorism.
There are some necessary steps that need to be taken by the school management and that
includes the educators’ intervention, introducing more preventive strategies so that the children
are not drawn towards an aggressive or extremist path (Sarma, 2017). However, the most
important event that needs to be included is a “community talk” which would require the parents
and children of every community to talk about their religion and religious practices, so that the
ignorance and discomfort between the ethnic groups can be controlled to a certain extent.
Programs should be hosted by the school, which promotes education about the multicultural
context, which could thereby promote harmony.

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Scenario 2
Summary of the case
This case allotted to me is about a family who refuses to send their children to school, as
they do not believe in the concept of formal education. They also refuse to vaccinate their
children owing to their disbelief in the scientific vaccinating practice. The family lives in the
edge of the town on a property owned by them which consists of make shift accommodations
like a double Decker bus and a communal food preparing and eating area. They have mentioned
that they live within an economy of their own; however, they do not appear to have any fixed
paid employment or any social security benefits. Several other adults also live in the same
property; however, this is the only couple with children. My team leader thinks that the
wellbeing of the children are at risk because of these factors and that this family is considered as
being at risk of a child protection intervention. My team leader thinks that these are “hippie”
people and that they do not have any right to live the way that they do when the future of
children are involved. She believes the group to me a part of a commune or a cult. My colleague
and I on reaching the place find the children happily doing their chores and playing while the
mother was coming to greet us.
Why did this happen?
There are many reasons that can be attributed as a cause for such a situation. These
individuals in the present case deny conforming to the rules of the society. They have created a
counterculture of their own, which revolves around freedom of love and peace. They want to
reject the rules and conventional systems and rebel against the idea of work and ambition. This
probably why they do not believe in the formal education system and do not want to involve
their children in schools.

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The conflict theory in social science describes how the disparities in power structure
impact people’s lives in the societies (Lenski, 2013). Therefore, many people who cannot
conform with the existing socio-politico-cultural situation have to detach themselves from the
defined “social” borders and live in the way they believe is suitable for “natural” living. The
theory states “Power is unequally divided in every society, and all societies perpetuate various
forms of oppression and injustice through structural inequality—from the wealth gap to racial
discrimination.”
Another possible reason for their disbelief in science could be their ignorance or lack of
knowledge about the health benefits that could come from vaccinations. Their way of living is
their freedom of action and expression as they have decided to choose a path of their own,
However, when it comes to their children, it is a different scenario altogether. The children are
young and will adapt cognitive understanding from their parents, yet would like to make their
own choices when they grow up.
What can be done differently?
Making a blind judgment about their culture is not something that I feel should be done,
also making adamant decisions for them regarding their children without delving deep into their
scenario and understanding their positions carefully would be of no use, except disrupting the
harmony of their living. Firstly, it is essential for my colleague and me to not just meet them but
mingle with them and acculturate ourselves with their culture before trying to come to any strict
decision. Acculturation is important because not only would we get an insight to their
perspectives and way of life, but also we will be able to gain their trust and gradually make them
understand how education and vaccination can be important for their children.

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We could get an idea of the reasons due to their non-conforming beliefs and try to fix them at the
roots if necessary. However, here it is important that we are able to gain their faith and trust for
us to be able to influence them, in case influencing them is required.
How can this be approached?
The General Systems Theory of social science deals with the “reciprocal relationships”
between various elements of a society (Payne, 2015). The approach of the intermingling of
various sections should follow a holistic and organized approach, and the social workers must
recognize various groups, organizations, and congregations within the society, and take care of
their developmental needs. This theory enables the social worker to understand “human
behavior” in the “social environment”. This will be helpful for us to deal with these people.
Once, we gain the trust and friendship of the community we will gradually talk to them
about the benefits of a formal education. We will need to explain them that their children are
completely dependent on their decisions now, however they might grow up to have different
perspectives and would want to live a conventional life. Therefore, they must respect the fact that
their children are individuals who might have a mind of their own and if are devoid of a formal
education now, would face consequences of unemployment and social exclusion. This would
lead to many other factors mainly involving mental health issues. We would try and explain to
them how the various social determinants of health would be harmed, thereby preventing them
from becoming well adjusted adults (Strandh et al., 2014) . We also need to shed some light on
the scientific advantages of vaccines and how the various vaccinations can prevent their children
from having serious physical health issues in the future. These views need to be incorporated
gradually and it is important that we strategize in influencing them to provide their children the

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required education and vaccinations. In case they are still reluctant to understand our views, we
can incorporate a reward system in educating the children formally.

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References
Cipriani, R. (2017). Sociology of religion: An historical introduction. Routledge.
Kruglanski, A. W., Gelfand, M. J., Bélanger, J. J., Sheveland, A., Hetiarachchi, M., &
Gunaratna, R. (2014). The psychology of radicalization and deradicalization: How
significance quest impacts violent extremism. Political Psychology, 35(S1), 69-93.
Lenski, G. E. (2013). Power and privilege: A theory of social stratification. UNC Press Books.
Payne, M. (2015). Modern social work theory. Oxford University Press.
Sarma, K. M. (2017). Risk assessment and the prevention of radicalization from nonviolence into
terrorism. American Psychologist, 72(3), 278.
Stepaniants, M. (2017). Religion and identity in modern Russia: The revival of Orthodoxy and
Islam. Routledge.
Strandh, M., Winefield, A., Nilsson, K., & Hammarström, A. (2014). Unemployment and mental
health scarring during the life course. The European Journal of Public Health, 24(3), 440-
445.