For example, consider your own name and the meaning associated with it. Ask yourself the cultural significance of your name. There may be some relationship between your name and the order of your birth. There may have been a special ceremony conducted when you were named. The naming process of a child is but one of the many examples of how cultural influences are evident and varied.
Language is specific to one's cultural group whether formal, informal, verbal, or nonverbal.
Language determines the cultural networks in which an individual participates and contributes specific values to the culture. Racism, sexism, and poverty are all aspects of a culture that must be understood from the perspective of how one views their effect both upon oneself and upon others. The words themselves are obviously powerful terms and frequently evoke some defensiveness. Even when the anguish of poverty is not felt personally, the counselor must come to grips with his or her own beliefs regarding financially less fortunate people. Such an exploration may lead to examination of the differences between individual behaviors and organizational behaviors, or what might be called the difference between personal prejudice and institutional prejudice.