Hispanic_American_Diversity

Hispanic American Diversity Renee Ertel 125 March Sunday13, 2011 Debra Tetting, Ph. D. Hispanic American Diversity To explain the Hispanic American diversity in the United States I have chosen the following four Hispanic groups Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Mexican and Guatemalan Americans. I will identify the linguistic, political, economic, religious, and familial convention or statuses within each group. Although each group a strong cultural identity of their own, they have been placed within the category of Hispanic or Latino Americans. Each group speaks a Spanish language, though they have differences within the dialect, spelling, pronunciation, and the meaning of words. Puerto Ricans The Native language for Puerto Ricans is a proper Castilian Spanish which is derived from the ancient Latin Language. The main difference is the pronunciation of words in the Spanish used in Puerto Rico, and the Spanish use in Spain. Puerto Rican Americans are commonly bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English otherwise commonly known as Spanglish. Puerto Rican Americans are economically the poorest Hispanic group poverty has affect on their statuses in the United States. Less than two percent of Puerto Rican Americans earn over $75,000 annually. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion but protestant faiths of various denominations have some Puerto Rican adherents as well these Protestant denominations include Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and Christian Scientist. Puerto Rican Americans are moved by the passion of Christ and place particular emphasis on the crucifixion. A Strong Spanish influence, which reflects the European Spanish culture. Men are the head of the households and serve as the community leaders. Women are expected to run the house. Both men and women are responsible for childrearing. Girls are raised to be quiet and compliant, while the boys are raised to be more aggressive. Puerto Rican Americans have two distinct political paths. One path is focused on accepting the association with the United States and working within the political system. The other path is striving for the independence of Puerto Rico. Cuban Americans The native language of Cuban Americans is Spanish, although those who are born in America speak English. Spanglish, which is a combination of Spanish, and English, is commonly used among the Cuban Americans. Cuban Americans have a reputation for being politically conservative, and usually vote for the Republican Party in elections. Cuban Americans seem likely to share political values and the willingness to vote, to advance these values. The traditional cycles of assimilation and acculturation has been reversed by the Cuban Americans. Cuban Americans are regarded as to have successfully migrated, and are financially the better Hispanic group in America. In 1984 on third of the private companies in Miami, Florida, was headed by Cuban American. The Cuban Americans have not yet reached financial security and prosperity through with 33 percent earning less than $20,000 per year. The dominate religion for Cuban Americans is Roman Catholic. However, other religions that Cuban Americans may identify themselves with are Protestant denominations such as Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh - day Adventist. Another religion that some Cuban Americans identify them with is Santeria which is similar to Haitian vodun (voodoo). The Cuban American family seems to share the family responsibility among the men and women. Cuban American men and women both participate in the workforce. Mexican American The native Mexican American is Spanish. However the Spanish that is spoken by the Mexican Americans is an informal dialect that is depending on the location, economic statuses, or education of the Mexican American. Mexican American Spanish differs from the Castilian Spanish in the pronunciation. Mexican American’s were strongly involved in the Mexican American Civil Right Movement. In 1991 a reported 3,754 Hispanic elected officials served as the five south western states. Most of them were Mexican American. The majority of Mexican American has a traditional preference to be Democrats. Economically Mexican Americans are poverty stricken. Mexican Americans rarely obtain education past the high school level, and because of the lack of a higher education, Mexican Americans perform manual labor at bellow minimum wages. The Catholic faith is the strongest religion of the Mexican American population. However other religions are practiced among the Mexican Americans such as Protestant faith and Pentecostal. Traditionally the male is the head of the house and the main if not the only person who supports the family financially. The Mexican American women are expected to be submissive, obedient to the male, and to handle the house hold duties. Mexican American women usually only, work outside the home when there is extreme cases of poverty. Guatemalan Americans The majority of Guatemalan Americans speak the Spanish language; however there are some who speak the Mayan Languages which are Quiche, Kanjobal, Mum, Cakchiquel, Chuj, and Acatec. Many of the Mayan Americans are trilingual and speak Spanish, English and Mayan dialect. Guatemalan Americans have had very little involvement within the American politics. Although there have been a few Guatemalan Americans in the political office within the past 30 years. The large number if the Guatemalan Americans that are undocumented that have recently entered the United States are unable to obtain well paying employment. Most of the Guatemalan American men work in the Agricultural, manufacturing, and the service sector. During the off season for the agricultural workers they usually find employment in the garment factories. Roman Catholic is the traditional religion of the Guatemalan Americans although there are some Guatemalan Americans who practice other religions such as Protestant and Pentecostal. In many cases Guatemalan American women provides a large amount of the family income along with the men. Guatemalan American women are also expected to maintain the house hold duties, such as childrearing, cleaning, and cooking. Guatemalan Americans are family oriented however because of the poor economic condition they are likely to separate. There are many similarities within the linguistics and religious and familial conventions within the Hispanic American community. Spanish is used throughout each of the four Hispanic groups discussed in this paper. The majority of the Hispanic community practice Catholic derived religion. In most Hispanic groups the male is the primary financial provider. There were some differences dealing with the economics among the four Hispanic groups. Depending on the location and status of the legality if their citizenship. Hispanic groups such as Guatemalan and Mexican Americans are forced to live in poverty stricken areas. Even though all the members of the Hispanic American communities originate from different countries and have different traditions when they become Americanized their traditions mingle together. Reference Green, D. (2008). Puerto Rican American. Retrieved March 14, 2011 http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Pa-Sp/Puerto-Rican-Americans.html Buffington, S. (2008). Cuban Americans. Retrieved Much 14, 2011 http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Bu-Dr/Cuban-Americans.html Englekirk, A; Marín, M (2008). Mexican Americans. Retrieved Much 14, 2011 http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Le-Pa/Mexican-Americans.html Hong, M. (2008) Guatemalan Americans. Retrieved Much 14, 2011 http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Du-Ha/Guatemalan-Americans.html \