Hispanic and Latino Population Presentation

Cultural Group: Hispanics and Latinos

A Brief History of the Cultural Group

• Migrate to America from neighboring countries;
• Primarily arrived in the 1980s (Arellano-Morales & Sosa, 2018);
• Constitute the USA’s largest minority group (Garcia, 2017);
• Have a history of discrimination;
• Retain distinguishing characteristics from each other.

Values and Worldview

• Distinguish themselves with a community-oriented worldview;
• Retain strong Catholic religious ties (Acuna, 2017);
• Maintain strong sociopolitical stances (Garcia & Sanchez, 2016);
• Are often placed contra “American values” (Acuna, 2017, p. 26);
• Cannot be identified as anti-American outliers.

Language and Communication Patterns

• A common language identifies Hispanics;
• Except for Brazilians, Latinos speak Spanish (Acuna, 2017);
• Language becomes symbolic of cultural identification;
• First-generation immigrants have difficulty learning English (Arellano-Morales & Sosa, 2018);
• Children’s bilingualism may be valued.

Art and Other Expressive Forms

• Art-related affairs are perceived positively;
• Emotional expressivity is not restricted (Arellano-Morales & Sosa, 2018);
• It demonstrates people’s cultural affiliation;
• Requires a communal “system of meaning” (Garcia, 2017, p. 272);
• Artistic expression may derive from identity.

Norms and Rules

• Families propagate previously apperceived rules;
• Colonization and history shape norms (Arellano-Morales & Sosa, 2018);
• Gender expression is strongly culture-adherent (Acuna, 2017);
• Respect is integral within local societies;
• Traditionalism prevails in centralized communities.

Lifestyle Characteristics

• Culture is omnipresent in people’s lives;
• Close-knit communities instill homogenized behavior (Garcia, 2017);
• “Cultural cues” outline analogous goals (Garcia, 2017, p. 19);
• “Lifestyle improvements” are perceived positively (Arellano-Morales & Sosa, 2018, p. 100);
• Upper-middle-class lifestyles are highly valued.

Relationship Patterns and Common Rituals

• Associations inside a community are essential;
• The extended family maintains close contacts (Garcia & Sanchez, 2016);
• Respect is the basis for interactions;
• “Confianza” is crucial to relationships (Arellano-Morales & Sosa, 2018, p. 168);
• Everyday rituals interlink religion and culture.

Degree of Assimilation or Marginalization from Mainstream Society

• Group together based on origins;
• Undergo a “pan-ethnic identification” process (Garcia, 2017, p. 226);
• Maintain a community-based approach to immigration (Garcia & Sanchez, 2016);
• Taboos on particular relationships may exist (Arellano-Morales & Sosa, 2018);
• Dual cultural apperception may be prevalent.

Health Behaviors and Practices

• Cultural customs may dictate health;
• Low-income families have less healthy behaviors (Arellano-Morales & Sosa, 2018);
• Children uplift their parent’s habits;
• “Acculturation” further stimulates detrimental health practices (Acuna, 2017, p. 177);
• Adverse health effects introduced during assimilation.

Socio-Cultural Group: Cuban Heritage

A Brief History of the Socio-Cultural Group

• Constitute Latino and Hispanic subgroups;
• Castro’s regime influenced immigration practices (Castellanos & Gloria, 2018);
• Have the highest business-count among Latinos (Acuna, 2017);
• Not homogenous in racial origin (Arellano-Morales & Sosa, 2018);
• Differ widely in socioeconomic standing.

Values and Worldview

• May maintain cautious political opinions;
• Historical memory linked to human rights violations (Castellanos & Gloria, 2018);
• Support governmental activity the least (Garcia & Sanchez, 2016);
• Orient themselves towards entrepreneurial values (Garcia, 2017);
• A business-related orientation is valued.

Language and Communication Patterns

• Language becomes a heritage symbol;
• Language proficiency linked with re-naturalization aspirations (Castellanos & Gloria, 2018);
• Sayings and stories permeate life (Castellanos & Gloria, 2018);
• Communication patterns rely on common heritage;
• Contacts with Latino communities strengthened.

Art and Other Expressive Forms

• Communities may value emotional expressivity;
• Music carries obscure cultural meaning (Castellanos & Gloria, 2018);
• Dance may maintain importance by association;
• Communication through art is sustained;
• Strong artistic expression is encouraged.

Norms and Rules

• Historical influence created particular conditions;
• Independence is valued over affirmative action (Garcia & Sanchez, 2016);
• Demonstrate strong tendencies towards republicanism (Garcia & Sanchez, 2016);
• An outlier community among Latino norms;
• Maintain a desire for independence.

Lifestyle Characteristics

• Living among Cubans is perceived positively;
• Entrepreneurial affinity dictates business-related occupations (Garcia, 2017);
• May attain higher socio-economical standing;
• Financial stability gives heightened visibility (Acuna, 2017);
• Money and reputation achieve security.

Relationship Patterns and Common Rituals

• Rely on contacts within their culture;
• An “exile community” interlinks people (Garcia, 2017, p. 58);
• Attachment to respect and care (Castellanos & Gloria, 2018);
• Pleasing interactions form a communicational basis;
• Relationship patterns are extended family-inclusive.

Degree of Assimilation or Marginalization from Mainstream Society

• High socioeconomic standing demonstrates social integration;
• Prefer acculturation over assimilation (Acuna, 2017);
• Some children-emigres lose cultural contacts (Castellanos & Gloria, 2018);
• Mono or bicultural apperceptions may exist;
• Varied cultural appreciation may prevail.

Health Behaviors and Practices

• Distinct from other Latino experiences;
• Have a heightened risk for cancers (Arellano-Morales & Sosa, 2018);
• Demonstrate a higher life expectancy (Arellano-Morales & Sosa, 2018);
• Income bracket could affect results;
• Behavior may be uplifted during naturalization.

Both Groups

A Comparison and Contrast Analysis of Common Characteristics and Distinguishing Traits between the Groups

• Perceive government assistance drastically differently;
• Differ in average socioeconomic standing;
• Maintain similar, respectful relationship patterns;
• Rely predominantly on community-inclusive connections;
• Creative cultural expression is valued.

A Discussion of Differential Approaches Needed by Health Care Professionals

• Lifestyle betterment outlined as crucial;
• Artistic pastimes can be utilized;
• Communal help may be expected;
• Gender norms should be anticipated;
• Require varied approaches to expenditure.

References

Acuna, R. F. (2017). US Latino issues (2nd ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood.

Arellano-Morales, L., & Sosa, E. T. (2018). Latina/o American health and mental health: Practices and challenges. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.

Castellanos, J., & Gloria, A. M. (2018). Cuban Americans: From golden exiles to dusty feet – Freedom, hope, endurance, and the American dream. In P. Arredondo (Ed.), Latinx immigrants: Transcending acculturation and xenophobia (pp. 75-94). Cham, Switzerland: Springer.

Garcia, F. C., & Sanchez, G. R. (2016). Hispanics and the US political system: Moving into the mainstream (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.

Garcia, J. A. (2017). Latino politics in America: Community, culture, and interests (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Rowman & Littlefield.