Defining Diversity: Influences on Social Work Provision

Diversity is a conceptual understanding of both difference and sameness across unique and shared patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. These patterns are shaped by the human expressions of sex, gender, race, culture, religion, and broader societal influences. My personal and professional experiences throughout my lifespan heavily inform this definition. Engaging with individuals who exhibit both similarities and differences—especially in response to social-emotional experiences rooted in historical and contemporary contexts—has deepened my awareness and appreciation of diversity.

Adams et al. (2018) emphasize the importance of incorporating and applying past experiences as complex contributors to personality development. These historical layers help shape how individuals should be understood and supported. This framework of diversity has meaningfully shaped my professional identity and practice as a social worker, practitioner, educator, and scholar. It informs how I process knowledge and how I apply that knowledge in practical settings, including practicum supervision and classroom instruction.

As an intentional educator, I seek out current and applicable knowledge that aligns with course objectives and real-world relevance. I aim to scaffold my students’ understanding of the value of diversity in professional helping roles. I often explore music, cultural practices, and historical events that resonate with my students while encouraging a deeper awareness of sameness and difference. This practice is essential in shaping culturally competent social work.

Diversity also involves awareness of identity development—shaped by both biological and social environments. This awareness influences how I deliver social work services, especially in how I engage with clients, identify their needs, and collaborate to develop appropriate service responses. Understanding how individuals navigate life through their unique worldviews is vital to delivering equitable and effective care.

Furthermore, my practice is grounded in recognizing the evolving and fluid nature of diversity. This recognition enhances my understanding of social justice and supports inclusive social work practices. A sincere desire to understand what shapes people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors allows social workers to use diversity meaningfully within and across systems, thereby advancing equity for both practitioners and clients.

Looking ahead, I anticipate that my understanding of diversity will continue to evolve through academic inquiry, student engagement, and application of evidence-based and ethnographic research. These lived and scholarly experiences contribute to a continually modernized and more inclusive definition of diversity.

Reference

Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Catalano, D. C. J., DeJong, K., Hackman, H. W., Hopkins, L., Love, B., Peters, M. L., Shlasko, D., & Zúñiga, X. (Eds.). (2018). Readings for diversity and social justice (4th ed.). Routledge.