Cultural Differences

I’ve been a mediator with the Community Mediation Center for about six years now. I have mediated hundreds of cases of all different types. However, I had a new experience this week that refreshed some things for me. I observed a Child Dependency Mediation that involved a mother who is Vietnamese and speaks limited English. The parties present at the mediation included the mother, the Social Worker, an in-home therapist, the Guardian ad Litem and the Vietnamese interpreter.

The subject matter itself was intense. The mother and the Social Worker and the therapist were there to find ways to work together so that “mom” could retain custody of her children and avoid putting them in foster care. The Guardian ad Litem was there to look out for the children’s best interest. Clearly those two sides did not always see eye to eye. The real challenge came when cultural issues arose. The interpreter that was there, a Vietnamese man himself, quickly turned into an advocate for the mom instead of the translator that we had anticipated. The had long dialogues back and forth, him trying to help her understand, not only in word but in meaning, what the other parties were asking of her in terms of the care of her children. Issues were raised such as having a Vietnamese therapist for the children and the mother’s opposition to putting one of her children on medication for ADD. These appeared to stem from her cultural beliefs according to the interpreter.

It is important for us as mediators to set our own cultural views and stereotypes aside to some extent and stop and think who our clients are in a mediation. Are they young or old? White or black? From the North or South? Married or single? Although not all of these issues are cultural, these are just a few of the characteristics that make up a person and influence there decisions. Just something to think about.

Sara M. Foote