Kenneth Fishman

Personal Exploration Worksheet

Part 1: From the following list, choose 4 groups of people with

whom you are the least familiar:

African Americans

Native Americans

Latino(a)

Asian Americans

Jewish Americans

Arab/Muslim Americans

Single mothers

Displaced homemakers

People over 60

Unemployed people over 50

Immigrants

Part 2: Respond to each question, using 50 to 100 words.

Group 1: people over 60

1)Describe your assumptions, beliefs, and perceptions about

members of this group.

The unemployed and retired people are mostly people of over 60 years
old. They dont have the spirit and health as the youngsters and need
to take medical check- ups frequently. They are mostly impermeable to
alternations and new ideas in their lives, and grew up believing in
racism.

2) When you think about working professionally with members of

this group, are there traits, characteristics, or other issues
about the group that you would be curious about, concerned
about, or intimidated by? Why would understanding diversity
issues be important to you as a human services worker?

The entire health aspects of this group of people would be of main

importance to me while working with them professionally as the age of
these people is the time of many diseases such as arthritis, Alzheimers
disease and hip and back problems.
Their financial positions would also be of great interest to me. I feel
that comprehending diversity in the members of this group is crucial
as members all hold different ideas, views and expectations about

human service workers. Being intimate and caring personally is also

important for these people.

3) How could advance knowledge of the group address concerns

and assumptions?

To help this group, outstanding knowledge in diseases and other

medical aspects is needed. While treating clients of this age,
familiarization with the possible health conditions makes the
treatment a lot easier as the clients remain confident about your
understanding of their conditions.

4) What kind of information, learning experiences, contact, and so

forth would you need to increase your knowledge about this
group?

To increase the knowledge about this group, information about elderly

homes and disease connected with age would be of great help to me.
Additionally, having practical experience of having elderly people
around me would assist in my widening of knowledge. Moreover,
other people who do the same work as me can share their
experiences and opinions about the elderly, which is also an effective
way of gathering knowledge.

Group 2: Jewish Americans

1)Describe your assumptions, beliefs, and perceptions about

members of this group.

My only source of information about this group is the Holocaust.

Maximum Jews have strong religious beliefs and can only make bonds
with other Jewish people. The Jewish families have close relationships.
They are also known as smart but greedy fellows.

2) When you think about working professionally with members of

this group, are there traits, characteristics, or other issues
about the group that you would be curious about, concerned
about, or intimidated by? Why would understanding diversity
issues be important to you as a human services worker?

To me, the Jewish community is no different from the rest. I hold no

specific interest in them although they have strong religious beliefs.
However, to get to know the members of this group is equally
important as getting to know other groups, as they are unique in their
culture and lifestyle.

3) How could advance knowledge of the group address concerns

and assumptions?

The Jewish group is not a part of the history because of the Holocaust.
To perceive this idea generally, advanced knowledge is required.

4) What kind of information, learning experiences, contact, and so

forth would you need to increase your knowledge about this
group?

Visiting places of religious importance to the Jew and getting to know

their religious and cultural practices are needed.

Group 3: Native Americans

1)Describe your assumptions, beliefs, and perceptions about

members of this group.

I believe that the Native Americans are intelligent and live in harmony
with the nature, away from the modern technology and electricity. Their
main sources of knowledge are their ancestors who taught them how to
live along with the nature. This knowledge made them experts in
dealing with the nature. They believe in afterlife and hence worship
many gods. Apart from gods, they also worship the natural elements
such as the sun and the rain.

2) When you think about working professionally with members of

this group, are there traits, characteristics, or other issues
about the group that you would be curious about, concerned
about, or intimidated by? Why would understanding diversity
issues be important to you as a human services worker?

As the Native Americans are different from others, they may tend to
disagree with the ideas the service worker tries to share with them.
They may also feel hesitant to ask for assistance. Moreover, getting
government help and using certain medicine may contradict with their
beliefs. The crucial part of a service worker is to understand these
people so as not to offend them in any way and be helpful about using
their knowledge and culture.

3) How could advance knowledge of the group address concerns

and assumptions?

Letting general people know about the genuine beliefs and the
development ways of Native Americans is only possible with advanced
knowledge on them. Additionally, with knowledge on these people, you
can confront situations concerning them without offending them in any
way. Getting to know these people also brings respect and honor from
these people to you.

4) What kind of information, learning experiences, contact, and so

forth would you need to increase your knowledge about this
group?

To widen your knowledge about the Native Americans, you can visit
their graveyards and museums. Spending time with the Native

Americans who live in the remotest parts with the nature can also
bring your fruitful results and interesting

experiences. People who have Native American ancestors can also

help you to learn about them in details if you get in contact with
them.

Group 4: Arab Muslim Americans

1)Describe your assumptions, beliefs, and perceptions about

members of this group.

In this group, the females are usually treated as inferior to males.

They have strict restrictions such as veiling and not talking unless
talked to. The apparent negative impression about this group of
people is the incident of September 11th, for which they are not
treated much well by other fellow Americans. The Muslims speak in a
different language and are unaware of the equality of all genders in
America.

2) When you think about working professionally with members of

this group, are there traits, characteristics, or other issues
about the group that you would be curious about, concerned
about, or intimidated by? Why would understanding diversity
issues be important to you as a human services worker?

The most curious matter to me would be if a woman of this group

comes to me for help. Would she tell me about her problems herself

or would she let a male talk to me on her favor? Moreover, I would

like to know these peoples adaptations to the

American environment and their views about the Americans.

3) How could advance knowledge of the group address concerns

and assumptions?

The September 11th attack has been a terrorizing example to the

Americans. Advanced knowledge on Muslims can change this idea.
Learning on Muslims can also allow human service providers to
assist these people without hurting their culture and beliefs.

4) What kind of information, learning experiences, contact, and so

forth would you need to increase your knowledge about this
group?

Cultural and religious history of Muslims can help in comprehending

them. Discussing about these peoples feeling towards the
Americans and their impressions towards the Muslims because of
the September 11th attack can also help greatly. Going to the
synagogue and getting in touch with the Muslims can broaden the
knowledge concerning them.