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Hispanic American Diversity

Hispanic American Diversity


Hispanic community forms the fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States today. As of the 2000 census, they made up about 12.5 percent of the U.S. population. Hispanics became the largest minority group in the country in 2002, surpassing the African-American population (Britannica, 2007). The term Hispanic is used for all people from the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America and from Spain (Pinal & Singer, 1997).


Mexican-Americans

Mexican-Americans form the largest part of Hispanic population in the United States and are concentrated in the Southwestern United States, primarily California, Texas, Nevada and Arizona. People migrate from Mexico to the United States because Mexicans are poor and there is little likelihood of improving their economic status in Mexico. Moreover, economic and educational opportunity in the U.S. is far greater than in Mexico (Kemp, 2005).

Spanish is the primary language of Mexican Americans. More than 90 percent of U.S. Mexicans are literate. Verbal and on-verbal communications from Mexicans are usually characterized by respect and communications to Mexicans should also be respectful. There is an element of formality in Mexican interactions especially when older persons are involved. Mexicans emphasize on familism, which is the valuing of family considerations over individual needs (Kemp, 2005). The nuclear family is the most common social unit and there is usually a strong reliance on family in day to day functions and crises. The oldest male holds the greatest power in most families (Kemp, 2005). Child-rearing is primarily seen as the woman's responsibility. Earlier, pregnancy was viewed as natural but today the practice of family planning is increasing in the Mexican community.

Traditionally, neither prevention nor promotion are valued which contributes to higher prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. However, in recent years awareness has increased and prevention is increasingly accepted as an important concept (Kemp, 2005).

Most Mexicans are Roman Catholics. Spiritual and religious influences play a major role in health, illness, and daily life. Faith and church remain powerful sources of hope and strength in the Mexican community.


Puerto Ricans

Puerto Ricans are the third largest Hispanic subgroup living in the continental United States. A large population of Puerto Ricans is settled in the states of Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, and New York (Juarbe, 1998). Puerto Ricans have been migrating to the United States for decades to seek employment, education, and a better quality of life.

Education is greatly respected among Puerto Ricans and children are encouraged to become educated for a better future. Even though the educational system is alike in both the U.S. and Puerto Rico, immigrants from Puerto Rico are placed one grade below their previous academic year due to language barriers. Puerto Ricans are bilingual in English and Spanish. They speak with a melodic, high-pitch fast rhythm that leaves them vulnerable to receiving comments on their accent (Juarbe, 1998).

Puerto Ricans are very expressive and are known for their hospitality. Puerto Rican culture discourages the image and acknowledgement of a woman as a sexual being (Comas-Diaz 1985). Respect for adults, parents, and the elderly is highly valued among Puerto Ricans. Traditionally, Puerto Rican women have been viewed as lenient, submissive, and always pleasing men's demands (Fitzpatrick, 1981). However, in the United States, Puerto Rican women have played a paramount role in the development of the Puerto Rican community (Comas-Diaz, 1985). These changes in family and gender roles are a result of the acculturation process after migrating to the U.S. Puerto Rican families have traditionally viewed men as aggressive and dominant. Family roles among Puerto Ricans are based on familism. Puerto Ricans value the unit of the family and even allow two families to live in the same household.

Religious beliefs among Puerto Ricans influence their approach to health and illness. Majority of Puerto Ricans are Catholic. Most Puerto Ricans are very religious, and when confronted with tough situations in life, maintain their trust in spiritual forces (Juarbe, 1998).


Cuban-Americans

Cuban immigration to the U.S. has a long history starting from the political upheaval in 1959 which created a wave of Cuban immigrants to the U.S. (Wikipedia, 2007). Cuban Americans represent a total of 4 percent of U.S. Hispanic population and are mainly settled in Florida and New Jersey. Cuban Americans enjoy a high literacy rate, higher median household income and higher rate of home ownership as compared to other Hispanic groups (Wikipedia, 2007). Cuban-Americans are politically more conservative as compared to other groups. Many Cuban-Americans are business owners and entrepreneurs.

Cuba has a multitude of faiths reflecting the diverse cultural elements. However, Catholicism is the most prevalent professed faith while some Cubans belong to the Jewish Community. Cuban-Americans face language problems as they cannot effectively communicate in English. Cuban culture is influenced by the fact that it is a melting pot of cultures, primarily from Spain and Africa (Wikipedia, 2007).


Central Americans

Central Americans represent 4.8% of total U.S. Hispanic population. Due to civil unrest in many Central American countries since the 1970s, there has been a rapid increase in emigration to the United States. Many immigrants may have arrived as refugees and some have been granted political asylum in the United States (Hispanic Affairs, 2002).

Majority of Central Americans have roots in the Roman Catholic Church, however, about 25% belong to other Christian faiths. Central Americans have strong religious beliefs. Religious practices are particularly emphasized in times of stress. Spanish is the primary language, although many families from Central America speak one of many Indian dialects (Hispanic Affairs, 2002). It is customary to shake hands when greeting just like in Western culture. Punctuality is not considered as important as it is in North America. Generally, personal relationships are given more importance. Adults are highly respected and addressed by Mr. and Mrs., not by their names.

Generally, males are viewed as dominant figures since they provide for the main bread and butter of the family. The oldest male is often considered as the head of the family (Hispanic Affairs, 2002).


Differences & Commonalities

Hispanics differ on their political views. For example, Cubans are more inclined towards conservative political ideologies and support the Republicans. On the other hand, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Central Americans favor the Democrats. Because the latter groups are far more numerous, the Democratic Party enjoys a strong position among the Hispanics (Wikipedia, 2007).

The educational attainment of Puerto Ricans is better than that of Mexican-Americans and is similar to Cuban-Americans. A majority of Hispanic population (including all four groups) speaks English. More than half of U.S. Hispanics are bilingual in English and Spanish, however, U.S.-born second and third generation Hispanics use the English Language frequently with some Spanish words thrown in (Wikipedia, 2007).

Most of the Hispanic community belongs to Christianity, however, some Hispanics are associated with the Jewish community while others, though minority, are Muslims. U.S. Hispanic Jews and U.S. Hispanic Muslims account for 1 percent of total U.S. Hispanic population.

It can be said that even though Hispanics find their ancestors in different countries, most share a common faith and language, as well as a culture rooted in Catholic faith (Hispanic Affairs, 2002).



REFERENCES

Comas-Diaz, L. (1985). Cognitive and Behavioral Group Therapy with Puerto Rican Women: A Comparison of Content Themes. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 7, pp.373-383

Fitzpatrick, J. P. (1981). The Puerto Rican family. In C. H. Mindel & R. W. Habenstein (Eds.), Ethnic families in America: Patterns and variations (2nd ed., pp. 89− 214). New York: Elsevier.

Hispanic Americans. (2007). In Britannica Student Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 7,2007, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/ebi/article-202046

Hispanic Affairs (2002). Encuentro and Mission : A Renewed Pastoral Framework for Hispanic Ministry. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, November 13, 2002. Retreived on February 07, 2007 from
http://www.usccb.org/hispanicaffairs/encuentromission.shtml

Juarbe, T.C. (1998). Puerto Ricans. Retrieved on February 07, 2007 from
http://people.umass.edu/efhayes/Preutorican.htm

Kemp, C. (2005). Mexican & Mexican-Americans: Health Beliefs and Practices. Retrieved on February 07, 2007 from
http://www3.baylor.edu/~Charles_Kemp/hispanic_health.htm
Pinal, J. & Singer, A. (1997). Population Reference Bureau. Population Bulletin, Vol. 52, No. 3, October 1997.

Wikipedia (2007). Hispanic. Retrieved on February 07, 2007 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/hispanic

Wikipedia (2007). Hispanic. Retrieved on February 07, 2007 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cuban
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Posted by: Helen P. Nash

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