This article aims at analysing the ways in which people talk about ‘culture’ in social work

encounters involving child welfare in immigrant families. The empirical material

includes conversations between immigrant clients, their social workers and co-operating

professionals at six Finnish social service offices, as well as interviews with the persons

participating in these meetings. The theoretical and methodological frames of reference

are social constructionism and discourse analysis. The study suggests three ways in which

the concept of ‘culture’ is used by social workers and their clients: firstly, as a means of

explaining ‘the ordinary and normal ways’ of raising children; secondly, as ‘a difficulty’

in the interaction between social workers and clients; and thirdly, as ‘a methodical tool’

in creating dialogue with clients. As far as the practical implications for social work are

concerned, it is emphasized that in order to avoid ethnocentric practice or ‘culturalization’

of problems, it is important for social workers to be conscious of the various

meanings of ‘culture’ both in their own practice and in the ways their clients employ

cultural symbolism.