This document discusses working with diverse families from a social work perspective. It addresses potential barriers diverse families may face, such as racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia. It prompts the reader to research barriers and intervention approaches for a specific type of diverse family, such as ones with differences in sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, or disabilities. The document also provides guidance on assessing a familiar family's structure, strengths, life cycle stage, communication styles, roles, and cultural values using social work theories like systems theory and an ecological perspective.

1. PART 1
Discussion: Working With Diverse Families
Families are as unique as the individuals who form them. While
you may utilize the same or similar techniques while working
with family systems (through the steps in the GIM and related
practice skills), it is also important to recognize that each
family has its own unique needs and experiences in the world.
The empowerment perspective states that an essential aspect of
working with individuals and families is to address their
feelings of powerlessness and oppression. Empowerment is a
process; one part of that process is to gain an awareness of the
oppressive structures evident in our society. Oppression, in the
form of racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia, can impact a
family’s quality of life and ability to thrive. In this Discussion,
you consider the many aspects of working with diverse families.
To prepare: Select a diverse family system, such as a family
with differences in sexual orientation, a family with differences
in race or ethnicity, or a family with members who are
managing a disability. Then, consider potential barriers they
might encounter in society. Think about how a social worker
might address one of these barriers on an individual, family,
organizational, group, or community level. Next, visit the
Walden Library to conduct research on barriers and intervention
approaches for working with this type of family. Support this
post using peer-reviewed article(s), in addition to the assigned
resources.

2. By Day 3
Post:
Provide a brief description of the diverse family system you
selected.
Explain potential barriers or challenges this family might
encounter that is related to diversity.
Provide evidence from scholarly resources to support the
existence of this barrier.
Explain how a social worker might address this barrier on an
individual, family, organizational, group, or community level.
Provide evidence from scholarly resources to support social
work approach.
Support your post with APA citations to the course text and any
other resources used to respond to this discussion. Demonstrate
that you have completed the required readings, understand the
material, and are able to apply the concepts. Include a full
reference of resources at bottom of post.
PART 2
Assignment: Family Assessment
Consider your experience both within your own family of origin
and when interacting with other families. What is different

3. between these examples of families?
In the field of social work, it is imperative that you know how
to assess families. When trying to identify what is happening
within a family, a social worker must learn about the family’s
structure, identify their strengths, review their communication
style, and understand the family’s dynamics. Families are
influenced by the unique individuals within the family, as well
as by the larger cultural context in which the family exists.
Families vary in how they define who is a member of the family
unit, what role each family should play, and what the family
dynamics are based on an individual member’s contributions to
the family system. Often, the social worker’s role is to help
identify trouble spots and help the family re-adjust to healthy
system dynamics.
In this week’s Assignment, you provide an assessment of a
family and provide an analysis of the family using a social work
perspective with consideration to strengths, cultural values, and
social work theory.
By Day 7
Submit a 2- to 3-page paper in which you analyze a family that
is familiar to you.
Support your analysis by using the Kirst-Ashman and Hull text
and at least 2 to 3 additional peer-reviewed articles to do the
following:
Describe the structure of a family that is familiar to you.

4. Identify the strengths in the family.
Explain where in the life cycle this family is located and how
that may influence family dynamics.
Analyze one form of communication used by this family and
how this communication style influences family dynamics.
Describe the specific roles of two family members and explain
if the various roles work well together for the benefit of this
family.
Explain how understanding cultural values will help a social
worker working with this family.
Analyze this family using systems theory or the ecological
perspective.
Support your paper with references to Kirst-Ashman and Hull,
in addition to other resources used to complete this assignment.
Paper should include appropriate APA citations and a reference
list. You are expected to demonstrate your understanding and
ability to apply concepts from the course by paraphrasing
resources and providing specific examples of how a concept is
evident in the family system you identified for this paper.
Required Readings
Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2018).
Understanding generalist practice
(8th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Chapter 9, “Understanding Families: Family Assessment” (pp.
349–381)

5. Chapter 10, “Working with Families” (pp. 382–418)
Samudio, M. (n.d.).
Doing family therapy as a new social worker: The Do’s and
don’ts
. Retrieved March 17, 2018,
from http://www.socialworker.com/feature-
articles/practice/doing-family-therapy-as-a-new-social-worker-
dos-and-donts/