Introduction Latinos are an American community of considerable diversity of culture, race, ethnic, and national origin. It is a community on the forefront of significant demographic change and sociopolitical growth (Appleby, G.A., Colon, E., & Hamilton, J., 2011). Latinos in the United States are diverse, and collectively the second largest ethnic minority population in the country (Vigil, 1996). In the Latino population, culture represents a way of life that binds Latinos together through their language, values, beliefs, and practices that are considered appropriate and desirable. The population is an aggregation of several subgroups; Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American and Dominicans. Some demographers suggest that …show more content…
Demographically, Latinos in the Unites States are relatively young due to immigration by younger people seeking work and to their high fertility rate (Appleby, G.A., Colon, E., & Hamilton, J., 2011). The Latino population is on the average eight years younger than that of Whites and two years than African Americans (Appleby, G.A., Colon, E., & Hamilton, J., 2011). B. Strengths and Resources Family life is important to Latino family interests are valued over individual well-being (Latinos, 2014). The structure of the Latino family tends to be patriarchal with great power and responsibility vested in the male head of household. The family is viewed as the focal point of mutual aid in the Latino community, based on the cultural norm of personalismo and the non-familial organizations are not generally trusted. Latinos depend more on the family for services, emotional support and advice than they do professionals. In the Latino culture, la familia (the family) and interdependence among its members are highly valued (Appleby, G.A., Colon, E., & Hamilton, J., 2011). C. Life Experiences Human behavior is affected both by genetic inheritance and by experience. The ways in which people develop are shaped by social experience and circumstances within the context of their inherited genetic potential. Each person is born into a social and
When it comes to identifying the Latino’s population by a type of skin color most would consider themselves as Caucasian while a few identify themselves as Black. Many others associate themselves with indigenous race while others are increasingly identifying themselves as “other”. Their origins range from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Guatemala. Notable differences among the Latino groups center on the aspects of language refinement, educational status, cultural values and attitudes toward mental health treatment (Brice, 2001).
Many Latinos in the U.S. are descendants of Mexican people who lived in the Southwest when it was taken as plunders of war or acquired in a series of land sales. In many cases, their ancestors became Americans not by their own choice. Almost all other American Latinos or their ancestors migrated here from Latin America in search of a better life and opportunities. As a group, Latinos represent a combination of several ethnic backgrounds, including European,
According to the National Education Association (NEA), the Hispanic culture is one of the fastest growing culture groups in America (2016). “There are 41.8 million Hispanics in America, representing 14.2 percent of the U.S. population, with estimates for growth to nearly 20 percent by the year 2050” (NEA, 2016.papa.1). The Hispanic culture believes that their family is a very
This paper will be addressing the differences between American and Latino culture. American culture is an individualistic culture in which everyone tries to be unique from one another and more successful. Success in the American culture typically means being wealthy. Americans make decisions based off of their own personal needs unlike Latino culture. Latino culture is based off of collectivism where the family is the most important aspect in their lives. Latinos are more likely to make decisions based off of the best interest of their families not necessarily themselves. The primary language Americans speak is English whereas Latino Americans typically speak Spanish. One thing that both cultures share is the importance of a good education.
Different sub-groups among the Latino Community possesses varying rates of psychological disorders. A recent study, conducted by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, surveyed those of the Latino and Hispanic Communities in the United States. This study revealed, that generally, 27% of Latinos reported having higher levels of depression. Among the various Latino groups, those having a lower score of 22.3% were those of the Mexican descent and those having a
Despite their better standing, the research has surprisingly found that they are “only slightly more likely than those whose parents were first-generation immigrants to have had some education beyond high school or to report household or personal incomes above $25,000” (28). These differences in educational and occupational attainment may be attributed to the overcrowded, underfunded inner-city schools second and third generation Latinos attend or to the fact that young Latinos feel economic pressure to drop out of school to get a job and financially assist their families; thus, keeping them in lower occupational ranks since the well-paid professional positions require a higher educational standard. These results are a bit disheartening, but nonetheless, the educational attainment of Latinos is still in a positive trend since we are seeing a slow, yet gradual increase of educational attainment.
When Americans think of racism, they usually think of slavery, and that racism is no longer a problem in America. However, this is not the case. Racism is still obvious in America. Racism can be linked directly to stereotypical mindsets of certain groups of people. Today’s racism is not restricted to whites and blacks, and it has come to define many different groups and races. Pigmentation as well as physical characteristics and features still are influential for classifying people. It is easy to overlook the racism that hides below the surface and is part of American life. Today, an estimate 54 million Latinos live in the U.S. and around 43 million people speak Spanish. Although Latinos are the country’s largest minority, anti-Latino prejudice is still common. Very few Americans recognize, acknowledge, and respect the contributions of one of America’s greatest ethnic groups – Hispanics. Americans are often confused as to who Hispanics really are and what they represent in America. Although the United States is known for having a melting pot of diverse cultures, recent studies have shown the rise of discrimination against Latinos and Hispanics immigrants. A person’s legal status should not be an excuse for mistreatment.
Latinos and Hispanics have a long history here in the United States of America. The term “Hispanic” is most often used by the government, which is what will be used through the rest of this document. Hispanics are the fastest growing group in the United States and their numbers will continue to increase as years go by. Mexicans are the largest subgroup of Hispanics making up 66% of the population while the other 34% includes Central and South Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Hispanic origins. California, Texas, and Florida have the highest populations of Hispanics. In regards to health insurance, Hispanics have the highest rates of uninsured in the United States.
A diverse minority group of Latino and Spanish-speaking peoples has played an important part of what it means to be American and what it means to be a citizen in the United States today. Moving into the future, in order to analyze the trajectory that this group is in, we must first understand the group’s history in the United States and in territories that would become the United States. In addition, we must look at the origins of the most recent wave of Latino immigration in order to understand their current effect on American society and the intersection between both minority and majority groups. Finally, we get to the apex of this investigation: what lies in the future for Latino Americans in the United States? Although Latino
Latino/Hispanic Americans cover a much wider demographic then believed. Latino/Hispanic Americans consist of; Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Guatemalan American to name a few. Latino/Hispanic Americans are the largest ethnic group in the United States. The Latino/Hispanic culture is very different than ours. Their culture differs in economics, politics, family traditions, family structure, religion, education, language, fashion, art, music, dancing, and food. As natural born Americans in the United States it is important for us to learn about the different cultures migrating into the United States. Many United States citizens have a hard time understanding other cultures; being culturally insensitive is a common theme in the United
In 1900 there were around 500,000 Latino's. Now, the national Latino population numbers more than 35 million and is one of the most dynamic and diverse racial/ethnic groups in the united states. The most known dramatic impact of the Latino population on the demography of the nation has taken place over the last few decades in the U.S. The amount of Latino's in the United States more than doubled the amount of Latino's from 1980 to 2000, counting for 40% of the amount change in the country's population during that time. By the time 2004 the U.S Census Bureau designated the Latino kind as the nation's largest minority group, an outstanding thing given in 1980 the Latino kind was only close to more than a half the size of the African American
Latino migration to the United States has been largely influenced by the economic and political unrest Latin American countries have experienced and still experience. Latin American countries are still experiencing things as drug wars, dictatorships, etc. To Latinos, the U.S. is
The number of Latinos in the United States more than doubled between 1980 and 2000, accounting for 40 percent of the growth in the country's population during that period. And in 2003 the U.S. Census Bureau designated Latinos as the nation's largest minority group, an amazing event given that in 1980 the Latino population was only slightly more than half the size of the African American population. The Latino population has had an impact not only on the U.S. population, but also on other aspects of U.S. society. This can be seen, for example, in the increasing popularity of Latin American food and music and in the prevalence of Spanish-language signage, advertisements, and media.
Amongst current events, immigration is one of the hotly debated topics of today. It’s will be a determining factor in the current U.S. presidential race. Hispanic/Latino immigrants are one of the fastest growing demographics in our populations and consideration of political value due to their impact on and to the economy. Their ethnicity makes them the subject of random criticism and plays a role in how well they assimilate into the US. How they are perceived and treated while trying to build a new life with dreams, like many Americans, of a better life, will also play a crucial role in how they adapt to their new surroundings.
The Latino identity is a socially constructed way to group people who belong to separate national-origin groups into one vast broad category which on the one hand, unifies them and allows for mobilization but also undermines the unique characteristics of each nation. There is also the question on race and whether Latinos make up a separate race or if Latinos could fit into a predetermined category such as being white or black. These are issues that do not necessarily have an agreed upon answer as many Latinos have various viewpoints on the subjects and how they classify themselves. Some feel closer to the label of Latino while others feel closer to their national identity. There are 22 separate nations that compose the Latino pan ethnicity, each with a different background that directly influences their political concerns coupled with the additional concerns that are associated with a unique dual identity of being Latino and American simultaneously.