Mirror Sites:
CSUDH - Habermas - UWP

California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Soka University Japan, Transcend Art and Peace
Created: December 5, 2001
Latest Update: December 7, 2001
jeannecurran@habermas.org

Understanding the "Other"
in Facing Pain and Death

By Caroline Ibekwe

Copyright: Jeanne Curran, Susan R. Takata, and Caroline Ibekwe: December 2001.
and Individual Authors. "Fair Use" encouraged.

On Monday, December 3, 2001, Caroline Ibekwe wrote:

Dear Jeanne,

A guide to cross-culture communication is something I would like to research and write my thesis on. I chose this topic because, I work in the hospital as a Social Worker with a variety of people from several different backgrounds.

I experienced differences in cultural awareness as far as pain and death. Some tend to view pain as part of life and as an indicator of the seriousness of an illness. Some tend to deny or avoid dealing with pain, but may exhibit a high anxiety level. Some tend to feel that it is disgraceful to express pain verbally, and may even refuse medication when offered. Some tend to view pain as God's will for life, and that no one should interfere with God's will.

These different approaches to pain and death make me wonder about several issues. Is dominant discourse playing a role once again, where people view their culture and ethnicity as superior and dominant? Do they simply lack education? Or are they simply mis-understood?

My goal is to help different cultures who are under long term care. To find a way for physicians and nurses to learn how to better communicate with patients and fit their needs.

Thanks,
Caroline Ibekwe

On Friday, December 7, 2001, jeanne responded:

Yes, good topic, Caroline. I'll have comments up shortly. jeanne Friday night.