Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
The Evolution of Appalachian Culture: Traditional values, cultural influences, and mainstream America.
Session Abstract or Summary
Although people from Appalachia are often over-looked or forgotten by mainstream America, the introduction of modern resources, increased access to technology, and other modern influences create an Appalachia that is becoming increasingly influenced by majority American culture. As a result, the once intact Appalachian cultural values are shifting to meet the new standards of the dominant society.
Due to the intersection of historical injustices, a lack of economic opportunity, and the breakdown of traditional livelihood, Appalachia seems uniquely vulnerable to current social ills. Nevertheless, Appalachia is perfectly positioned to use the cultural values, first laid out by Loyal Jones, to foster resilience and increase the likelihood of continued strength.
This panel will discuss the intricacies of issues including: the substance abuse epidemic and the increased dependence on family for support; gender issues in relation to traditional and newly evolving roles; and the concept of sexual minority visibility, intersectionality, and the parallels between socioeconomic and racial marginalization in Appalachia.
Participants will leave this session with a better understanding of how to unify a diverse and ever changing population through re-envisioned Appalachian cultural values with implications for practice, training, and education.
Presentation #1 Title
The Evolution of Appalachian Culture: Traditional values, cultural influences, and mainstream America.
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Although people from Appalachia are often over-looked or forgotten by mainstream America, the introduction of modern resources, increased access to technology, and other modern influences create an Appalachia that is becoming increasingly influenced by majority American culture. As a result, the once intact Appalachian cultural values are shifting to meet the new standards of the dominant society. Due to the intersection of historical injustices, a lack of economic opportunity, and the breakdown of traditional livelihood, Appalachia seems uniquely vulnerable to current social ills. Nevertheless, Appalachia is perfectly positioned to use the cultural values, first laid out by Loyal Jones, to foster resilience and increase the likelihood of continued strength. This panel will discuss the intricacies of issues including: the substance abuse epidemic and the increased dependence on family for support; gender issues in relation to traditional and newly evolving roles; and the concept of sexual minority visibility, intersectionality, and the parallels between socioeconomic and racial marginalization in Appalachia. Participants will leave this session with a better understanding of how to unify a diverse and ever changing population through re-envisioned Appalachian cultural values with implications for practice, training, and education.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Crystal Trout is a second-year doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Ohio University. She holds the B.A. in Counseling and Human Services and a M.Ed. in Counseling and Human Development with an emphasis in Mental Health from Lindsey Wilson College. She has worked primarily with children and families within community mental health settings in Appalachian Kentucky. She has also presented at both the Kentucky Counseling Association Conference and the Appalachian Studies Conference. She is an adjunct instructor at Lindsey Wilson College School of Professional Counseling, and her research interests include multicultural education, domestic violence in Appalachia, and the impact of secondary trauma among counselors.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Gerard Grigsby is a second-year doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at Ohio University. He obtained his B.A. from Morehouse College and his M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health from Ohio University. Currently, he is licensed as a Professional Counselor in Ohio and serves as a Counselor-in-Residence on campus. He is also a graduate assistant and advisor in the Office for Multicultural Student Access and Retention. His research interests include racial and sexual identity development, multicultural counseling, and social justice and advocacy within the profession.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Jamie Linscott holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Ohio University. She is a licensed School Counselor in Amesville, Ohio. Her current research interests include Appalachian cultural values and cultural resilience, narrative expression in schools, wellness, and rural elementary schools. She presents to universities, agencies, and community organizations on Appalachian cultural values. She is a past presenter at ASC.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Chris Linscott is the Vice President of the Alpha Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, and a second year master’s student in Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling at Ohio University. He has worked extensively with individuals and families experiencing poverty and homelessness in Appalachian Ohio, and he is a past presenter at the All Ohio Counselor Conference (Fall 2014) on Cultural Fluency and Multicultural Competence in relation to Counseling Refugees of War. He is currently a graduate assistant and the Outreach and Transition Coordinator with Ohio University’s Student Accessibility Services.
The Evolution of Appalachian Culture: Traditional values, cultural influences, and mainstream America.
Although people from Appalachia are often over-looked or forgotten by mainstream America, the introduction of modern resources, increased access to technology, and other modern influences create an Appalachia that is becoming increasingly influenced by majority American culture. As a result, the once intact Appalachian cultural values are shifting to meet the new standards of the dominant society. Due to the intersection of historical injustices, a lack of economic opportunity, and the breakdown of traditional livelihood, Appalachia seems uniquely vulnerable to current social ills. Nevertheless, Appalachia is perfectly positioned to use the cultural values, first laid out by Loyal Jones, to foster resilience and increase the likelihood of continued strength. This panel will discuss the intricacies of issues including: the substance abuse epidemic and the increased dependence on family for support; gender issues in relation to traditional and newly evolving roles; and the concept of sexual minority visibility, intersectionality, and the parallels between socioeconomic and racial marginalization in Appalachia. Participants will leave this session with a better understanding of how to unify a diverse and ever changing population through re-envisioned Appalachian cultural values with implications for practice, training, and education.
