Running head: CULTURAL

Title: Cultural Project

Alison Lucey
Salt Lake Community College

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Abstract

Cultural Journal
Week 1:
Jan 12- Texted my little brother to see what culture his girlfriend is.
Jan 13- Texted my brothers girlfriend, Yasmin, and asked if she would mind being my
interviewee for the cultural project.
Jan 13- Submitted Persian(aka Iranian) culture for approval.
Week 2:
Feb 10- I contacted Yasmin via text, to see when we could meet. Meet date is sometime during
the weekend.
Feb 12- Conducted web search, list of websites found and information discovered.
Feb 14- I interviewed Yasmin who is Persian about different cultural beliefs.
Week 3:
Feb 16- Conducted more research on the web.
Feb 17- I spent some time complying my information from my research.
Feb 20- I talked to a classmate about the Persian culture.
Week 4:
Feb 23- I collected some books on Persian literature.
Feb 24- I text Yasmin to see if she had any props I could use for my presentation.
Feb 25- I compiled all my information and finished writing my assignment.
Feb 25- I went to a Pars Cuisine on Highland Dr. to purchase some props for my presentation.

CULTURAL

Title: Cultural Project

They are Persian they are not Arabs: After the Arabs invaded Persia, many of the
people felt lost, they had a choice they could succumb to the new culture or they could
stand their ground. They chose the later and so they maintained their native language
(Farsi) and their religion (Zoroastrian). Eventually, the Islam religion displaced
Zoroastrian religion, however, they've held onto their language. The confusion between
Arab and Persian seems to arise from the shared religion. However, Islam isnt a nation,

nor is it an ethnic group. It is just the religion.

Persian headwear for men and women: In Iran the woman wear headpieces for
modesty, this covering is called a carqad or carghat this covers the head, neck and
shoulders and in some cases the upper chest. A burqu is sometimes attached to this
structure this attachment is used for modesty and it only reveals the eyes. These
headpieces are worn when the woman goes out. The only time they will take them off in
public is when they go to the doctors. The reason behind this is that men of this culture
believe they should only look and the womens eyes or face the other parts of the body
are sacred and to only be shown in private. These headpieces are mainly worn in Iran,
but it isnt uncommon to see them in the states. Men wear turbans and this isnt as
common to see in the states.

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Women go to female doctors and men go to male doctors: This is very common in
Iran but in the states the modern Persians will go to opposite sex doctors but the elderly
Persians maintain their cultural norm.
When contemplating these cultural differences it became obvious that treating a
male patient in a hospital setting would be difficult if you are a female. This cultural
difference will make a challenge for both you and the male pt. The male patient might
look at

you as being disrespectful and disregarding to there beliefs.

Women are second to men: In Iran women dont usually work. Its a male dominant
culture so it isnt uncommon to see most all women at home. The men go to work and
make the money.
Being a female and treating a male patient would be a challenge especially if they
dont have the respect for you or if they dont believe you should have the role of more
power.

This culture doesnt display public affection: Males are more affectionate with each
other than their spouses. Males dont like other females touching them if they arent
family (so it is difficult for a male to be hospitalized in the states with female nurses).
When being hospitalized males prefer to me cared for by their spouse instead of staff.
It would be challenging to treat a patient that doesnt like to be touched or cared
for from another person other than a family member.

Divorces arent common. Cant go on dates unless you are engaged or married.
Tattoos represent the revolution, the king, a sign of power and everyone in the kings

army got tattooed.

Its not uncommon to see a male of this culture wearing a necklace of an eagle, this
means power or powerful.

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Very strong family influence: Families are a huge part of the culture and it would be
expected of you to put family first in any situation.
This cultural value has its pros and cons. The patient could possibly benefit from
all the support, but with overpowering support the patient could be smothered. There is a
possibility it would make it challenging for the practitioner to treat the client with the
family always around, or it could be very beneficial and the client could excel.

Punctuality: People of the Persian culture are known to set a time for meetings but they

are usually late, unless its a doctors appointment.

This culture holds you to high standards in regards to your education and
knowledge.
Reflection
As practitioners, we should never assume that we are similar to others. This assignment

was very interesting and eye opening for me. It made me more aware of all the different people
and cultures practitioner will treat on a day-to-day basis. I think this assignment was very
beneficial, as it made me more aware of various cultural values I will have to take into
consideration when treating people of different cultures. I greatly anticipate all the unique
information compiled by classmates that will be shared over the course of this exciting project!
With this collaboration of information OT practitioners will become more conscientious of the
different needs our patients/clients might have.

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References

Farahani, Y. (2015, February 14). Persian Culture [Personal interview].

PersianCulture.(2013).RetrievedFebruary25,2015,from
http://www.persiansarenotarabs.com/page/persian_culture/persian_culture.html
SafialKhansaa,M.(n.d.).16thCenturySafavidPersianHeadwear:PartI;StylesforWomen.
RetrievedFebruary25,2015,fromhttp://www.scapersianu.com/Class
Notes/womens_hats.pdf