Working towards culturally sensitive ethical practice in a multicultural society

Abstract

In the last two decades there has been a lot of theorising about multiculturalism and professional practice. Many practitioners are challenged by cultural diversity daily. Practising from a culturally sensitive ethical perspective in a multicultural society is essential for good practice. Postmodern influences and critical questioning are seen to inform culturally sensitive ethical practice in their encouragement of practitioners’ adoption of multiple belief systems and multiple perspectives and the need to pose questions challenging practice regarding awareness of cultural encapsulation and cultural sensitivity. The development of culturally sensitive ethical practice guidelines within the context of a multicultural society is proposed, firstly, by assessing the cultural sensitivity of the ethics codes and secondly, by balancing culture and ethical codes.