We hear the word culture all the time, but what does it really mean? It can mean shared values, languages, art, beliefs, customs, or even collective memories. But here is the thing, culture is complicated, it is often oversimplified, overused, or misunderstood.
Helping professionals absolutely should consider culture, but they also need to see each service user as an individual, with their own story, worldview, and experiences. Critical Race Theorists remind us that, while race and ethnicity are social constructs, racism is very real, it affects health, opportunity, and wellbeing. Cultural competency training was designed to address this, giving professionals tools to understand how culture shapes beliefs, behaviours, and needs. But here is the catch, cultural competency training is not perfect.
When Cultural Competency Misses the Point
Researchers Peter Benson and Arthur Kleinman caution that cultural competency can sometimes turn into a checklist, a set of do’s and don’ts for each ethnic group. That can lead to stereotypes, like Chinese people believe this, or Muslims do that, flattening the richness of real, living cultures.
Service users are multidimensional, they are shaped by race, gender, class, sexuality, ability, and more. Reducing someone to a single label misses the complexity of who they are, and what they truly need.
A More Mindful Approach
The key is to look beyond culture, see it as one part of a person’s story, not the whole book. Each service user brings a unique mix of identities, experiences, and challenges, and these deserve to be understood on their own terms. In short:
- Consider culture, but do not stop there
- Avoid assumptions, and stereotypes
- See the person, not just their cultural background
That is where real connection, and effective support, begins. When we take the time to look beyond surface labels, to listen without assumptions, and to meet each person where they are, we open the door to understanding that goes deeper than any training or checklist could provide. It is in these moments of genuine curiosity and empathy that service users feel truly seen, respected, and supported, and professionals are able to respond in ways that are meaningful, flexible, and human. Considering culture is important, but seeing the whole person, in all their complexity, is what makes care, guidance, and support truly effective, and what builds trust, resilience, and lasting impact.
The Middle Slice 