ABSTRACT
This chapter is designed to sensitize students to cultural differences by understanding more about their own assumptions. The student learns that cultural competence is not an absolute quality and that 'culture' is not something which is limited to certain groups, classes or races. The chapter introduces students to the idea of the ethnic reality, a powerful combination of class and ethnicity. 'Culture' is about behaviours, customs, values, rites and institutions. An understanding of culture is the key which translates meaningless activities into meaningful interactions. Cultural competence, as described by Cross et al. is a set of behaviours, attitudes and policies which enable individuals, agencies and systems to work effectively in cross-cultural situations. The desire to confront cultural incompetence is not always matched by the skills to do it, and the situation is complicated if a helping role with a client suddenly looks as if it is changing into a challenging role.
