Diversity in Human Services, Research Paper Example

Introduction

There is no any single individual that is the same as the other. We are all wired in our own unique ways. Even unto those they call fraternal twins, they cannot be exactly the same as the other. This diversity also brings a lot of differences in our provision of services. Diversity in human services is brought about by such differences as cultural, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, learning styles, socio economic status etc. this report is mainly going to explore diversity in human services as far as gender differences is concerned.

Diversity in human services

Culture is an abstract concept that is as a result of our social set ups. It is more manmade rather than natural manifestations. Culture contributes to development and functioning of individuals, families, communities as well as delivery systems of human services. Diversity in human services is important since organizations offer services to individuals from different cultural backgrounds. On the same note, mostly ethnic minorities experience many services that human service delivery systems are expected to address. Minorities are expected to be more side lined when it comes to service delivery than the majority (Green, 1982).

In the recent past professional organizations like APA, national association of association workers and national organization for human services have set some standards that should be followed in service delivery to individuals and families from diverse cultures. Cultural competency in service delivery involves not only cultures represented by staff but also cultures of the families receiving the service. It also encompasses organizational wide culture in the area under consideration.

Additionally cultural competence also includes the full inclusion and development of mechanisms to both staff and families from diverse backgrounds to play their roles in how services are implemented, developed and evaluated such that culture is interwoven throughout family services. Consequently, cultural competence involves proactively tackling existing barriers to the meaningful inclusion of cultural diversity that contributes to a misfit between the service intervention and a family’s cultural needs and values (Dean, 2001).

Diversity in human services and Gender

Diversity in human service delivery as far as gender diversity is concerned, has also been evidenced to be very diverse. Female along with male clients do not have similar requirements and needs. Diversity under gender perspective includes ways in which an individual feels, thinks and associates with the rest of the population. Similarly such traits are witnessed in ethnical diversity among individuals. If you are at a position to establish the difference between types of a service an individual will require based on their gender, it can enhance your service delivery tremendously (Brabeck, 2004).

Brabeck (2004) adds that, differences between female and male clients can be seen in every aspect of assistance in the human service delivery. There is a need for a service provider to recognize these gender based differences for psychological reasons. One of the greatest differences is the gender stereo type that is not apparent in current society but still accepted in many countries. This stereo type holds that males are disallowed to show their truly felt feelings whereas the females are allowed or assumed to be in a position to tell the service provider everything.

Additionally there has been a serious debate for many generations as to whether gender differences in behavior, aptitude, cognition and reasoning are true or not. Psychologists and philosophers like Sigmund and Freud advanced the proposition that males are superior to females when it comes to brain functioning. On the other hand, gay activists especially in the US strongly hold that functioning of a man vs. a woman does not exhibit any significant differences. After many years of research, scholars, scientists and researchers have come to conclude that all this hypothesizes are false. Their final verdict is that, whereas it is true that there exists differences in psychological frontier of the female and male brain functions, it should be viewed as diverse rather than a matter of superiority or inferiority.

Perhaps the greatest discrepancy that has been exhibited between male and female is the level of estrogen and testosterone in their biological make-ups. Whereas males have been known to produce up to 8 grams of testosterone per day, females only produce 0.5 grams. Equally, female produce about 6 grams of estrogen per day while male do not. It is these hormones that makes the gender differences in terms of behavior. For instance, testosterone makes males aggressive while estrogen makes females to be more nurturing (Eagly, 1987).

The significance of testosterone and estrogen levels in males and female is because they have some psychological bearings. Psychologist hold that levels of these hormones has something to do with the kind of service that may be more useful to every gender. For example, females will benefit more from services that tend to be of more nurturing type like group therapy, counseling or comfort. Equally, males will benefit more from physical type of service like sporting, competitions, exercise among others. Whilst it is apparent that males and females exhibit different levels of hormones, establishing the ways in which these body chemicals affect the functionality of their brains can greatly enhance the services a service provider offers (Eagly, 1987).

Another diversity in psychological difference between male and females is the physical differences of each gender’s brains. Reliable studies have established that the splenium is smaller in men than in women. This makes it possible for women to process information in all hemispheres whereas men use only one. It has also been attributed as to contribute to gender specialization abilities. Females are likely to prosper in hearing, vocals, speaking among others while men tend to do well in motor and mathematical skills. As a service provider such knowledge of the differences in the physical aspects of the brains of both gender, can help you improve your service delivery.

Lastly, there is a more obvious difference in the two genders. This is the fact that males tend to be more bulky and masculine while females tend to be sleek, slender and light. This understanding can help a human service provider to establish appropriate program for a client. For instance if a male client appears to be less muscular, offering programs that pronounce such issues may make the client feel inferior. Alternatively making a female client – who is afraid of huge male – watch wrestling will not be a wise decision. Therefore understanding of such differences can assist one improve service delivery to the clients (Maccoby & Jacklin, 1974).

Conclusion

It is obvious that both male and females exhibit a lot of differences both physical, emotional, psychological and even perception. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that human service providers understand this to be at a position to help their clients. On the same note, it is worth noting that these differences should not be viewed as measures of inferiority or superiority but rather evidences of our human diversity.

References

Dean, R. G. (2001). The myth of cross-cultural competence. Families in Society, 623–630.

Green, J. W. (1982). Cultural awareness in the human services. New York: Prentice Hall

Smeiser, N. J., Wilson, W. J., & Mitchell, F. (Eds.). (2000). American becoming: Racial trends and their consequences, Vol. 1. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

Brabeck, M. (2004). Moral Judgment: Theory and research on differences between males and females. Abstract. Retrieved 2012 August, from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WDH-4D702WY-1S&_user=10&

Eagly, A. H. (1987). Sex Differences in Social Behavior: A Social Role Interpretation. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

Maccoby, E., E., & Jacklin, C., N. (1974). The Psychology of Sex Differences. Stanford, California: Oxford University Press.