The central message we try to put across in this chapter is that culture and family are vital if we are truly to understand empathy. Historically, empathy was simply an individual matter. Carl Rogers, of course, was highly instrumental in this somewhat more narrow view of empathy. We dearly love Rogers, but feel that it is vital to understand how the family helped shape the client's shoes and the cultural background which dictated the style of the shoes.
Individuals develop in families within a cultural framework.
In short, we can't understand our clients without family and cultural awareness. The family genogram in this chapter is designed to help bring family and culture together. If you have an understanding of how family affects your own development, you will be better prepared to help clients see themselves in family and cultural context. The Genealogy Toolbox may be helpful in that process. Karen Down has a wonderful set of pages which describe her family and experience as a bi-racial individual.