Hispanic Cultures

Personalism

Hispanic cultures are known for placing great emphasis on interpersonal relationships and valuing warmth, closeness, and honest self disclosure . These values may dictate the choice of counselor more than credentials per se. As an interviewer, you might be surprised by the level of inquiry and interest in your personal life and tastes, but the intention is not invasiveness, it is simply connection. However, it is advisable to remain more formal initially, to signal the boundaries of the relationship. Using last names and acting with deliberate respect during the ?rst interview can help this process.

In addition, this personal orientation ?nds expression in the giving of gifts to the counselor during therapy. Paniagua points out: Therapists working with Hispanic clients need to recognize and acknowledge the conditions under which it is culturally appropriate to accept such gifts and those conditions under which it may be clinically appropriate to reject the gift .

The Role of the Family

Similar to other cultures discussed in this chapter, family is extremely important to Hispanic people and is more broadly de?ned than traditional White American nuclear families. Family members have most likely been consulted before an individual comes for counseling; and in many cases, involving the family directly is helpful. There is a strong emphasis on the family’s needs and the needs of the group over the needs of the individual.

However, in contrast to other nondominant cultures in the United States and in contrast to White culture, role ?exibility in the family is not condoned in the Hispanic community. The father is the head of the household and is to be respected as such. The mother is the homemaker and cares for the children. The sense of family obligation, honor, and responsibility runs deep for most traditional Hispanic families .