Cultural Influence: A Reflective Essay in Sociology, Semester 1

This reflective essay explores the influence of culture on the author's worldview, specifically focusing on their experiences as a Hindu student in a healthcare setting. The essay utilizes Gibb's reflective method to analyze an encounter in a maternity ward involving a patient who had undergone an abortion. The author, initially shocked by the situation due to cultural beliefs, reflects on how their perspective shifted towards empathy and understanding. The essay highlights the importance of cultural competence, acceptance, and compassion in healthcare, emphasizing the need to overcome cultural barriers and provide effective patient care. It also discusses the impact of abortion stigma and the importance of educating healthcare professionals on culturally sensitive communication. The author concludes by emphasizing the need for continuous self-assessment and education to ensure that personal cultural aspects do not negatively impact their professional practice and interactions with patients from diverse backgrounds.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Reflective essay on influence of culture
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

1CULTURAL INFLUENCE
This essay’s aim is to explore cultural influence on my view of the world. Since I am
a Hindu, my culture is a very big part of who I am and the way I view the world. Even though
it very conservative in practice, it is also very inclusive and teaches me compassion and love
(Langer & Ngnoumen, 2017). The essay implements Gibb’s reflective method to reflect on
my experience and learning on cultural impact,
The incident I will be reflecting on happened, when I was placed in the recovery room
of the maternity ward. The patient had just undergone an abortion and was in recovery. I will
address the patient as Amy for the sake of confidentiality. Upon waking, she started crying
and refused medication. Amy’s condition worsened as her pressure kept falling and exhibited
signs of respiratory issues. As I tried my best to soothe her, it did nothing, as she saw the
ward with mothers and their babies. However, slowly talking to her and allowing her to
release her anger and guilt, made her calm.
Viewing this incident from cultural lens, as a Hindu, seeing a young girl
undergoing abortion was disturbing and shocking, as we are culturally raised not to
have any intimate relations before marriage and having an abortion is not held
positively in my community. However, upon reflection my shock was replaced with
concern for her. The standards for practice mean that I should demonstrate my care
for her by first accepting her; this reflects the same way in my culture.
This experience was good one as it helped me realise how abortion is viewed
upon generally by my culture and how adversely it affects women. The choice is not
an easy one and affects both the physical and mental well-being of the person, a fact
often ignored. Cultural lens can cause to view and stigmatise a patient when they need
empathy and understanding. I also learnt the value of acceptance that my Hindu
culture teaches me, as a Hindu we are taught that god resides in each one of us and

2CULTURAL INFLUENCE
everyone should be respected (Langer & Ngnoumen, 2017). I realised how my culture
also teaches me to accept, and show compassion without any judgement, which is
relevant in my profession.
According to Multicultural centre for Women’s Health, many women undergo
unsafe and illegal abortions for the fear of shame and stigma. Even though, abortion
in Australia is safe, legal and accessible to women ("Mcwh.com.au", 2019). It is
important that health profession help these cases to the best of their ability and
educate young health workers on the best method to communicate with such cases
(Riley,2015).
In conclusion, my cultural barrier stopped me from seeing others point of
view, and affected my body language and communication affecting my line of work
negatively. Even though I cared for my patient, I failed to establish a sense of trust,
until I opened my mind to see her issues. My role allows me to meet different people
from all culture and background; therefore, it is very important I exhibit positive
interactive skills and educate myself on various cultures and respect them and their
choices (Betancourt et al, 2016).
The best action plan is for me to learn and educate myself on aspects that is
not known or understood by me. In light of this experience, it allowed me to evaluate
my own feelings as a Hindu nurse. I was able to learn how imperative it is to asses my
cultural aspects in future and not letting them affect my work.

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References
Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., Carrillo, J. E., & Owusu Ananeh-Firempong, I. I.
(2016). Defining cultural competence: a practical framework for addressing
racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care. Public health reports.
Langer, E. J., & Ngnoumen, C. T. (2017). Mindfulness. In Positive Psychology (pp.
95-111). Routledge.
Mcwh.com.au. (2019). Retrieved 5 August 2019, from
http://www.mcwh.com.au/abortion-stigma-shame-on-you
Riley, J. B. (2015). Communication in nursing. Elsevier Health Sciences.