Hispanic American Diversity

Hispanic American Diversity

Mexican Americans are the largest group of Hispanics living in the United States today. A majority of Mexican American people living in the States are illegal, immigrants. Many Mexican Americans suffer economically and linguistically because they are predominately blue-collar workers that speak Spanish in their homes. American business owner enjoy employing Mexican Americans because many will work for a lower pay scale. Mexican American people who are U.S. citizens make a more money and have a history of being more educated than immigrants become; however, immigrants are more devout in their Catholic religious beliefs and considered harder workers.

Mexican American families are of average size having two children attending public schools. Socially the children have a harder time in school because a growing number of states are forcing them to learn two languages. Some Mexican American children start school and are not able to comprehend their homework because they are learning English for the first time. The parents of these children cannot help the children learn to read or write because they also only speak Spanish. The children have to rely on tutors’ for the small amount of school support they receive. As a result, some become discouraged and drop out of school to take low paying jobs, leaving them economically disadvantaged for the rest of their lives.

The adult Mexican American’s suffer from racist remarks and ideas from some U.S. citizens because they resent their presence in the United States. Although Mexican Americans are gaining a political presence in the United States, they endure degrading public racist remarks from a well-known political leader who believes speaking Spanish somehow makes their status lower than that of Caucasian Americans.

Puerto Ricans

The people of Puerto Rico are a culturally and racially mixed group. Puerto Ricans, known socially for their welcoming nature, offer warm greetings to those they are meeting for the first time. People from this culture use verbal as well as nonverbal forms of communication. They commonly use animated hand movements and facial expressions when engaged in conversation.

Puerto Ricans are American, but have pride in their country and traditions. Like Mexican Americans, most Puerto Ricans are Catholic. There are a small number of Protestants and various other denominations. Although Puerto Ricans are citizens of the United States and do reside and work there, they are not required to pay annual federal taxation or allowed to vote in American political events.

The country of Puerto Rico is highly populated resulting in many residents moving to the United States creating speculation that more live in the U.S. than their country of origin. However, Many Puerto Ricans return to their country when they discover the economic disadvantages they face in the United States because Puerto Rico has one of the most outstanding economies in the area.

Education is a main concern for Puerto Rican families. The language of the culture is Spanish. The children learn both English and Spanish from a young age. They excel in school and continue their education until graduating from college.

Costa Rica

Costa Ricans enjoy a rich culture of opera, orchestra music, and dance. They enjoy classical music and native folk songs. Socially acceptable stylish clothing is significant to the mature Costa Rican people; however, the younger generation is adjusting to the more relaxed dress style of the American public. They middle class working Costa Rican family believe it is very important to social status to keep their clothing clean and ironed. They will do without basic essentials in order to be able to afford fashionable clothing.

A majority of Costa Ricans are Catholic. They are committed to their religious beliefs. Holding a wake for loved ones that have passed away is a very important event. They believe the departed must have constant prayer and attendance before the wake.

Costa Ricans place a high value on family relationships and are proud of their ethnic backgrounds. The culture of people is socially friendly and humble when meeting them outside of their homes; however, they enjoy their privacy only inviting close relatives and friends into their homes.

Costa Rican families are average size and place an esteemed value on education however; the school dropout rate remains high. . Spanish is the spoken language in many of the homes in the United States. In the families, is acceptable and common for several generations to share the same household. The father is the dominate figure in the household with elderly family members being held in highest esteem. Costa Ricans celebrate special occasions with gatherings including close and extended family relationships. Although through integration in the United States divorce is more accepted, some families still view it as shameful; therefore, escalating the rate of domestic violence against women.

Many Costa Ricans in the United States are blue-collar workers. They work in jobs such as lawn care and building maintenance. Politically Costa Ricans have assimilated into the United