Leadership assessment style Essay

Culture is the beliefs, views, morals, religious practices, and behaviors specific to a group of people which becomes the frame on which one builds his or her life. Culture affects the way someone behaves, the decision he/she makes in her/his life, from the food one eats to the way someone takes care of himself, and people around him or her. It is important that a nurse has a full understanding of an individual’s culture before making a nursing assessment. The family that is interviewed is from Mexico two years ago. The family consists of Mr Miguel, a thirty two year-old male, his wife Mrs Maria 29 year-old, and his son Rodriguez 2 year-old. This family is a third generation migrating into United State of America for a better life. Although the number has decreased since 1986, border towns in Texas and California still experience large influxes of Mexicans seeking improved employment and educational opportunities (Prunell, 2008). Coming into the United States was a success for Miguel, because he is able to find a job in order to support his family. Although the job requires no significant degree, but he seems happy to work. In Mexico, education is not required to get a job. Once in the United States, a Mexican initially finds work similar to that which he did in his native land, including farming, ranging, mining, oil production, construction, landscaping, and domestic jobs in homes, restaurants, and hotels and motels (Prunell, 2008). Employment is very difficult due to lack of knowledge on how to speak the language, but willing to get underpaid jobs. Socioeconomic status is considered low class with the husband being the head of the household. In Mexico family structure is defined as the man being in power of the household. The typical family dominance pattern in traditional Mexican American families is patriarchal, with evidence of slow change toward a more egalitarian pattern in recent years (Grothaus, 1996)(Prunell, 2008). Change to a more egalitarian decision-making pattern is primarily identified with more educated and higher socioeconomic families (Prunell, 2008). Machismo in the Mexican culture sees men as having strength, valor, and self-confidence, which is a valued trait among many (Prunell, 2008). Men are seen as wiser, braver, stronger, and more knowledgeable regarding sexual matters (Prunell, 2008). The female takes the responsibility for the decisions within the home and maintaining the family’s health( Prunell, 2008). Machismo assists in sustaining and maintaining health not only for the man but also with the implications for health and well-being of the family( Sobralske, 2006)( Prunell, 2008). The family seems to understand each other role and works together to help one another, specially for the sake of the child. Marriage ritual: In Mexican weddings, the couples select those who would be supporting and guiding them throughout the engagement and marriage ceremony. Those mentors are usually people who have played an essential role in the lives of the bride and the groom. According to the tradition, the relative takes turn to dance and pin money on their wedding attire. The reason of this is to express their hopes to be wealthy. Pregnancy: Mexican men view large numbers of children as proof of their virility (Prunell, 2008). The optimal childbearing age is between 19-24 years(Prunell, 2008). Abortion is prohibited in some communities, however it is permissible if there is a life or death situation. Abortion in many communities is considered morally wrong and is practiced only in extreme circumstances to keep the mother’s life intact(Prunell, 2008). The pregnant woman prefers hot foods having in mind that is healthier for the baby. For instance, during a woman is more likely to favor hot foods, which is believed to provide warmth for the fetus and enable to be born into a warm and loving environment (Eggenberger, Grassley, & Restropo, 2006)(Prunell, 2008). A child must have a grandparent if his parent cant fulfill the responsibilities of child-rearing – child is taught to respect his or her parent. Physical punishment is often used as a way of maintaining discipline and sometimes considered child abused (Prunell 2008). Children are taught at early age to respect parents and older family members, specially grandparents ( Prunell, 2008 ). Death is part of Mexican culture. Mexicans often have a stoic acceptance of the way things are and view death as a natural part and will of God (Eggenberger et al; 2008)(Prunell, 2008). When a person expires in the family, the news quickly emerged to everyone of the family. They may gather for a velorio, a festive watch over the body of the deceased person before burial (Prunell, 2008). Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking countries in the world, with 80 million speaking the language (Prunell, 2008). Mrs Miguel is able to speak English a little, but his wife has some difficulties. The family speaks Spanish fluently at homed, however Mrs Miguel expresses himself in English at his job, where works as a housekeeper. The wife seems to be very closed to her husband which is in Mexican culture a normal trait according to Prunell (2008). The wife is sitting very close to her husband by stroking her husband hands during the interview, no eye contact is made. Mexican Americans consider sustained eye contact when speaking directly to an older person to be rude ( Prunell, 2008). Avoiding eye contact with superior is a sign of respect (Prunell, 2008). The main religious belief of Mexico is Catholic. The predominant of most Mexicans and Mexican Americans is Catholicism (Prunell, 2008). The major religions in Mexico are Roman Catholic, 89 percent; Protestant, 6 percent; and other, 5 percent of the population (Prunell, 2008). Family is important to a Mexican couple. Family takes precedence over work and all other aspects of life (Prunell, 2008). In many Mexican families, it is often said â€Å"God first, then family†(Prunell,2008). The typical Mexican diet consists of rice, eggs, pork, corn, tortillas, sausage, mint, chili peppers, onions, tomatoes, squash, canned fruit, mint tea, chamomile, carbonated beverages, beer, cola-flavored soft drinks, sweetened packaged drink mixes, sweetened breakfast cereals; potatoes, bread, gelatin, custard, refried beans, tacos, stripe soup beef (Prunell, 2008). Family’s lunch includes salad, soup, vegetables, meat (chicken, beef, fish, or shredded pork), fresh fruit, cheeses, fruit water the big meal of the day. A dominant health care practice for Mexican and many is hot-and-cold theory of food selection. Common hot foods used to treat cold diseases and conditions include cheeses, liquor, beef, pork, spicy foods, eggs, grains other than barley, vitamins, tobacco, and onions ( Kemp, 2001) ( Prunell, 2008 ). the client’s perception of illness in a Mexican family is a natural occurring event. Working is a must. Illness may occur when the person can no longer work or take care of the family ( Prunell, 2008). Therefore many Mexicans may not seek health care until they are incapacitated and unable to go about the activities of daily living( Prunell,2008). Many factors may cause illness or it is just an act of God. If the person becomes seriously sick, that is just the way things are; all events are acts of God (Eggenberger et al; 2006)(Prunell,2008). The treatment utilized based on Mexican belief system to treat an illness is as follows: folk medicine, spiritualists, medicine man, ritual, and western health care. Folk medicine is used when mal de ojo occurs usually to child and women. To prevent mal de ojo, the child wears a bracelet or a bag of seeds pinned to the cloths ( kemp,2001) ( Prunell, 2008). Most Mexicans enjoy their soul or spirit, specially in times of illness, whereas many health-care providers may feel uncomfortable talking about spirituality(Prunell,2008). The medicine man is like the folk medicine where one is being manipulated in order to discover an illness. A traditional practice that takes place in Mexico is the use of witchcraft, and a Mexican person believes sometimes that causes the illness of family member which leads family to seek help from the folk practitioners. Specific rituals are carried out to eliminate the evils from blame (Punell, 2008). Family takes full responsibilities of another being ill. Pain is part of life for a Mexican. Mexicans acceptance and anticipate pain as necessary part of life (Prunell, 2008). Culture is very important. Learning someone else culture requires knowledge and understanding. A nurse need to study and knowing a client’s cultural background prior assessment. This cultural assessment is great learning experience. People from different country have different views on many aspects of their life. Nurses must to be aware of a patient cultural beliefs, religious belief, cold-and-hot remedies, client perspective on pain, verbal and non-verbal cues, rituals, foods, etc, in order provide competent care. References Prunell, Larry D. (2008). Transcultural health care: A culturally competent approach, third edition. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company.