african americans group grace2

8/6/2019 African Americans Group Grace2

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Grace M. Brown

COUN 633 Multicultural CounselingDr. Theresa J. Govan, LPC

October 14, 2010

AFRICAN AMERICANS


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DEFINITION

y An American ofAfrican, and especially black

African descent.

1. Descendents of involuntary immigrants.

2. Voluntary immigrants or descendants of thosemigrating fromAfrica, the Caribbean, and SouthAmerica.


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Who are African Americans?

y Citizens or residents of the U.S. who have origins inblack African populations.

y Direct descendents of captive Africans surviving theSlavery Era.

y 41.1 million, totaling 13.5 % of U.S. population (2008Census).


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African American - Historical Events

y Slavery Era

y Reconstruction of the African Americancommunity

y Segregation

y The Great Migration

y The Civil Rights Movement


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Demographics 2008 Census

y 41.1 million

y 13.5 percent of U.S. population

y Largest population of 3.5 million New York

y 1 million+ LA, GA, MD, SC, AL, DC, CA, FL, IL,MI, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA


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Demographics 2008 Census

y MS - 38 % black population, larges of any one state.

y 24 states in which blacks were the largest minoritygroup AL, AR, DC, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI,MN, MS, MS, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV, WI.

y 30% younger than 18; 8% 65 and older.


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Demographics 2010 Brookings InstituteThe State of Metropolitan America

y 58% live in metropolitan areas (2000 Census)

y 28-countyAtlanta is now the leading state with AfricanAmerican residents

y Atlanta 1960s reputation; welcoming of blacks,

specifically with higher education levels

y PG County nations most affluent African Americancounty (2009 Census)


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Family

Structure

Marriage

Family Formation

Extended Families

Social Networks

Parenting Styles

Grandparent Roles

Sibling Parents

Spirituality

ChurchAffiliation

Race & Ethnic Pride Coping Strategies


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Social Issues/ConcernsPast & Present

y Poverty

y Homelessness

yMarital Stress

y Out-of-wedlock births & teen pregnancy

y Divorce; Single mother single mother households

y Poor Health

y High crime / death ratesy Psychosocial adjustments & social identity

y HIV & AIDS

y Cultural Mistrust


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Counseling Considerationsy Cultural Mistrust

y Spirituality and Religion

yCommunication Styles

y Authenticity and Interpersonal Connectedness

y Balance Historical Perspectives and Stereotypes

Limitations ofEuropean psychological thought andinterventions on this minority group

Holistic Approach Individual, group identity, traditions,

historical patterns, family structure and universal theories


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Cultural Mistrust History ofsuspiciousness in

medical/mental

health; least to seek

mental health

Segregated

psychiatric

hospitals

Careful not to

misinterpret reactions

and behaviors and

misdiagnose (e.g.

paranoia)

Spirituality & Religion African traditions andpractices

Church

counseling

ministries and role

of support

Shared beliefs

between counselor and

client

Communication Styles Affective, Direct EyeContact

Focus on strength,

wisdom, and faith

Leverage resiliency

Authenticity & Interpersonal

Connectedness

Unconditional

empathy

Warmth, trust, and

respect

Family, Extended

Family, Social

Networks

Balance of Historical

Perspectives

Respect cultural

differences; Not

stereotypes and

generalizations

Understand

limitations of

European theories

on race

Care in dividing issues

into affective,

cognitive, and

behavioral factors


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