A Youth Leader's Guide to Building Cultural Competence 

realities in their lives. Therefore, you will want to pay particular attention to topics related to economics 

and sexuality may include:  

the young people's and the family's level of acculturation;  

economic status and opportunities for their families;  

whether teenage sexual activity and parenthood is common and what your young people think 

about these issues;  

the availability of low  or no cost contraception, including condoms;  

the availability of community resources for medical, housing and other assistance for people with 

HIV infection and AIDS.  

Learning About Cultural Backgrounds  

There are two dozen or more Latino/Latina cultures in 

Be open and honest about cultural 

the U.S. Over 30 cultural groups make up  Asian 

differences. 

Americans.  The variety of European ethnic groups is 

large. Black America is made up of descendants of 

Africans brought to the United States during slavery as well as more recent immigrants from a host of 

Caribbean and African countries. Close to 300 tribes makes up the Native American population. Lesbian, 

gay and bisexual people are represented in all of those populations.  

There is obviously no way for you to learn in depth about every one of these groups. Do not be 

overwhelmed by the task of learning about cultural backgrounds. Instead, break the task down and set 

reasonable expectations for yourself. Bear in mind that some of what you read, see, hear or experience 

might reinforce stereotypes. In that case, keep an open mind and continue questioning the basis for your 

perceptions and beliefs.  

Focus your efforts on learning about those groups represented right now by teens in your program. Accept 

that you cannot know everything about another culture and never will. Instead, figure out what is most 

important to know about the specific cultures from which your program participants come. Working on 

HIV/AIDS prevention, you already know that you will want to concentrate on cultural beliefs, attitudes 

and behaviors about sexuality, gender roles, communication, health, families and children.  

Further Steps in Learning About Differences in Race, Ethnicity and Sexual Orientation  

1.  Encourage those different from you to be open and honest about issues related to their culture and be 

similarly open and honest about issues related to yours.  

Ask if they mind sharing/talking with you about these issues.  

Do not expect someone to summarize their entire cultural experience in five minutes.  

Respect how difficult it can be to share private thoughts and experiences with  outsiders.   

Be able to listen without becoming defensive.  

Be willing to share your thoughts, experiences and cultural background as well.  

Do not think that even a series of good conversations with just one person is enough;  the key 

to understanding a particular group lies in an appreciation of the wide diversity of individual 

experiences. 

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2.  Read additional sources.  

Start with the bibliography in this resource.