Open AccessCross-cultural Differences in Preferred Forms of Address: Implications for Work with African American Adults
Author(s) -
Wanda Lott Collins,
Samuel K. Moore
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
advances in social work
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2331-4125
pISSN - 1527-8565
DOI - 10.18060/65
Subject(s) - realm , social work , african descent , african american , work (physics) , psychology , social psychology , project commissioning , sociology , publishing , gender studies , public relations , political science , anthropology , law , mechanical engineering , engineering
Using an individual’s last name indicates respect and contributes to positiveinteraction with African American clients and adults of African descent. Thispaper discusses the importance of using social titles as a proper form of address during,and sometimes after, the initial professional relationship. Two case vignetteswill highlight potential difficulties that non-African American practitioners mayexperience when using first names with African Americans within the professionalrealm. The vignettes include a scenario for a supervisor and a client.