Discussion

  
Reply to Discussion with 250-275 words. Requires 2 scholarly resources
My SLP I’ve selected the culture of Indonesia. The most prevalent takeaway is that their culture is extremely family oriented and is comprised of generations who take care of each other without question. I grew up in an American/Christian household with my mother and step-dad who both worked full time jobs along with my brother and sister.
Family Roles & Organization
In the Indonesian culture, a huge emphasis is put on the respect and obedience of the parents. “Children must obey their parents, and all must preserve the family’s honor” (Piercy, Soekandar, Limansubroto, Davis, 2005). Children must always look to their parents for decision making, regardless of their age. “To ask for the parents’ opinion and permission is not viewed as a form of dependency, but more as a form of respects toward them, as they are considered to have more experiences in life” (AFSUSA, NDG). This is a unique and prominent cultural difference in my opinion. In American culture, we are pressed into to making our own decisions and becoming independent. In the Indonesian culture, children will call their parents when they are making an important decision, even if they are no longer living under their roof. It is a sign of respect in the Indonesian culture, but in American culture it is not seen as disrespectful to my parents that I don’t involve them in my decision making.
Reflect on the similarities and differences as they relate to your future profession as a healthcare practitioner. Discuss how this self-reflection may contribute to your cultural competence.
Any further competence of different cultures is wildly beneficial in the delivery of healthcare. “The concept of culture must be broadened, and students must also be taught the importance of individual preferences and the individual socioeconomic factors that are at play” (Boutin-Foster, Foster, Kobopasek, 2008). These Indonesian cultural differences are important for healthcare workers to be aware of because it will create a better understanding of the patient and why they may be hesitant to accept treatment before consulting with their parents. If a provider from American culture is telling a patient from the Indonesian culture that they need a certain treatment and the patient resists so that they can first speak with their parents, this could cause the provider to become frustrated if they do not understand that it is part of their culture. When the provider becomes frustrated, it can create an unfavorable patient-provider relationship which ultimately affects the treatment outcome.
References
AFS-USA. (NDG). Indonesia. Intercultural Programs. Retrieved from https://www.afsusa.org/countries/indonesia/.