Adjustment of an Immigrant

1. Adjustment of anImmigrant Sandra Rupnarain

2. Culture • Culture is an integral part of an individual’s well being. • Any diminishing of culture contributes to the diminishing of an individual. • Cultural shock is part of the transition that newcomers have to deal with.

3. Acculturaltion • Learning a new group’s culture is called Acculturation • It happens when an individual breaks down cultural and communication barriers and assimilate to the host country culture.

4. Adaptation • Defined as the productive involvement in the country’s life • Adapt to a new culture and a new environment • Factors that influence immigrants' adaptation: • demography, economy and social aspects • immigration policies • reasons for immigration • Disconnection from family • Difficulties to understand the new system (taxes, policies and rules)

5. Assimilation • Involves the separation of what was formerly known and the integration into a new and unfamiliar society • Immigrants will have to: • learn a new language • adopt new values and behaviors • integrate with new neighbours, schools, workplace and government policies • The experience can be depressing and overwhelming, leaving a person to feel confused and lost (http://cp.settlement.org/english)

6. Typical problems/issues • Discrimination • Cultural Shock • Language barrier • Visual differences • Values, beliefs, and behavioral norms clashes with their new environment • Lack of awareness of others’ cultures norms, behaviors and beliefs

7. Barriers faced • Social injustice due to their inability to meet basic needs • Professional skills not equally valued or compared • Have to accept work at lower wages • Language issues • Inability to match education and skills (Canadian Labour and Business,2003)

8. Discrimination • Discrimination is reality for many immigrants • Individuals are treated with differentiation in a direct and unconscious way • Racism is reinforced in the media where minorities are portrayed in negative and stereotypical ways • Hate crime is an act of violence based on prejudice against ethnic, religious, and sexual orientation groups

9. Religion • Provides social familiar structure for immigrants • Helps to give a sense of cultural identity • It can be helpful while adjusting to a new society • Oppression due to religion of choice • Other common discrimination reasons: • racial identity • Lifestyle, clothing, beliefs • women submissiveness to their husbands. • They can be seem as unusual in a society that is unfamiliar with those customs

10. Homosexuality • In some countries homosexual behaviour in both women and men are intolerant • Although the marriage laws have changed, homosexual still face discrimination by institutions and society • Many countries have criminalized same sex sexual behaviour laws • Some individuals who engage in homosexuality receive death penalty • Many gay, lesbian, bisexual, or Tran gendered individuals chose to migrate forthe safety of their lives (Jail Death Sentences in Africa,2001)

11. Social Workers need to • Be aware of their clients’ challenges • Understand the different resources available to assist in the development process • Help clients meet basic needs such as education, housing, food, transportation and clothing • Play significant roles in cross-cultural communication and conflict resolution between groups • Be able to make an effective intervention during an interview (Corey, M. and G, 2005 )

12. During the interview • Individualize the client • Do not lose sight of client’s hopes, dreams and goals • Ask for their advice in how you might adapt your helping methods to their values, traditions and customs • Leave emotions aside while listening to a client • Constantly examine attitudes and behaviors • Have self-awareness - empathy • Be alert to the possibility in making judgments based on racism, prejudice and stereotypes • Ask open questions since it opens the dialogue for new topics, classifies details and enriches the client’s story (http://cp.settlement.org/english)

13. Better Serving Clients • Be aware of the immigration process • Offer interpretation services when language barriers exist • Gain understanding of certain cultural and ethnical factors • Provide settlement services to supporttheir adjustment • Focus on the predominant issue(s) – ask questions • Basic needs? Employment? Health care? Child development? • Suggest programs that can offer emotional support – usually available in multiple languages • Understand specific resources to each culture • Refer the client to other social service agencies when required (http://cp.settlement.org/english)

14. Social workers strive for the greater good, and for the betterment of our entire society by embracing cultural issues in a positive manner and acknowledging that cultural differences are one of our country’s strengths and challenge

15. REFERENCES • Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers, Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Manual, pg. 6 • Shearfor B., Horejsi C., and Horejsi G., Techniques and Guidelines for Social Work Practice, Needham Heights, MA, Allyn and Bacon fourth Ed., 1997 • Corey, M. & G., “Code of Ethics” in Huot, J. Ed, Orientation to Human Services Course Reader, Toronto, 2005, pg. 60- 75 • Linda, David, Caroline and Adie, “Family Problems”, in Second Canadian Edition, Understanding Social Problem, pg 122- 160 • Ivey A., Ivey M., Intentional Interviewing and Counselling, fifth ed., United States, 2003 • http://cp.settlement.org/english • http://www.cic.gc.ca • http://www.settlement.org /index.asp • http://www.211toronto.ca/index.asp • http://www.clbc.ca/Fitting_In/Transition_Penalty_Summary.asp