A Youth Leader's Guide to Building Cultural Competence 

How is masturbation viewed?  

Is contraception commonly used? Who is responsible for purchase and How is homosexuality 

viewed? Are lesbian, gay and bisexual people accepted as members of the community? Are they 

respected?  

How do people flirt? What is expected behavior for men and for women? What age is seen as an 

acceptable one for first sexual intercourse? For males? For females? Do young people and older 

people agree on this? Why or why not?  

Is childhood sexual abuse recognized as a problem? Is forced sex between partners perceived as a 

problem? What about sexual harassment?  

Gender Roles  

Gender roles refer to what is considered appropriate and acceptable behavior for men and women. There 

has been tremendous change in the U.S. in the last 20 years and doors have been opened to women in 

education and occupation. There are, however, still many deeply held beliefs about which behaviors are 

feminine and which are masculine.  

Questions to consider about cultural groups: __________ 

Are tasks within the home assigned by gender? Are some things traditionally done by women and 

some by men? Which ones? Is that changing? How?  

Are both boys and girls encouraged to stay in school? To excel in school? In which subjects?  

Are both boys and girls encouraged, or expected, to work outside the home? In what kinds of 

jobs?  

Are both genders expected to express emotions freely? Are some emotions more appropriate for 

one gender or another? If so, which ones? How are they typically expressed?  

How are children cared for? How are responsibilities and tasks shared by parents?  

Are there different expectations about sexual behavior for both genders? Is one gender supposed to 

be more knowledgeable, experienced or interested in sex or faithful (monogamous) in a 

relationship?  

Is one gender supposed to be obedient to the other? In what ways? 

Religion  

Religion refers to a specific set of beliefs and practices regarding the spiritual realm beyond the visible 

world, including belief in the existence of a single being, or group of beings, who created and govern the 

world. Ritual, prayer and other spiritual exercises are commonly part of religious practice.  

Religious beliefs often provide guidance for behavior and explanations for the human condition. 

Religious beliefs and communities are often sources of strength for cultural groups coping with the 

demands of the majority culture. Religion can provide a sense of community and a basis for cohesion and 

moral strength within a cultural group.

7

 Religious communities can also serve as centers of support, 

resistance and political action.  

Many, if not all, religions establish sexual norms. Most organized religions condemn homosexuality and 

so it is often difficult for gay, lesbian and bisexual people to find full acceptance and spiritual peace 

within their families' house of worship or religious tradition.  

Questions to consider about cultural groups: __________ 

What religion, or religions, does this group typically adhere to?  

What are the basic beliefs of the religion? In particular, what are the teachings about gender roles, 

pre  or extra marital intercourse, homosexuality, contraception, childbirth and abortion?