Hispanic Americans

Regardless of where a person is born, if they immigrate to the United States, they should have the same advantages as the white American. Many Hispanic immigrants are at a disadvantage in the United States. We need to research why Hispanic immigrants seem to be at a disadvantage and find ways to help the immigrants. Hispanic Americans population is constantly growing in the United States. With this growth, they are still at a great disadvantage to the white American population. They are not as educated as the white American therefore has lower wages. Many Hispanic Americans have similar characteristics, but there are also many differences among them also. It would be a positive action if each group could share some of the positive characteristics with the other groups.

Currently Mexican Americans are 60 percent of the Hispanic population in the United States and Mexican Americans have a largely growing population in the Unites States. Even though their population is growing, their average income is more than 40% lower than the average non-Hispanic. This makes the Mexican Americans economically disadvantaged than other populations. The main reason for the economic disadvantage is the education level of Mexican Americans.

Mexican Americans have a strong family bond. They consider aunts, uncles, grandparents, and godchildren part of their family. Each person takes an active interest in each family member's life. Mexican Americans find social and religious events very important and include the entire family. There is great respect for the elderly.

Most Mexican Americans are Catholics. The Catholic Church is attempting to establish a stronger bond with the Mexican Americans. They recognize the birth and death of Jesus Christ. The celebration is similar to what white Americans celebrate. Children receive gifts to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Puerto Rican Americans are another group at a disadvantage. The proportions of Puerto Ricans in poverty have little change in the past 20 years. Puerto Rican children are the poorest population in the United States. Puerto Ricans also have an alarming high unemployment rate. One reason for this could be Puerto Rican's high school drop out rate is above average. There is hope for Puerto Ricans because the numbers of Puerto Rican's enrolling in higher education is rising. By the year 2010, Puerto Rico will have the highest minority population.

Puerto Rican Americans have a strong family bond. The males are the head of the households. The women are responsible for the care of the children. Puerto Rican Americans have an extensive family structure. Extended family members to include grandparents, cousins, and godparents are close family relatives. This traditional family bond has suffered in recent years because of economic hardship.

Most Puerto Rican Americans are Catholics. They observe traditional Catholic practices and sacraments Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Penance, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. The biggest difference from the white American is they celebrate service in Spanish instead of Latin. Puerto Rican Americans do not believe in divorce or conceiving a child out of matrimony.

Chilean Americans are well educated. If it is affordable, Chilean Americans send their children to private Catholic schools. They put education at a high priority. Parents encourage children to finish their higher education before getting married. Chilean Americans tend to chose natural science or engineering as their degree. Obtaining a degree in one of these fields will ensure a good career when school is completed.

Chilean Americans fathers are the head of the household while the mother makes many decisions within the home. Women are socially active in their communities by participating in self-help and cultural groups. Family ties are very strong. Children are taught to give respect to their elders at early age, especially their parents. After marriage, children typically leave home and return for holidays and Sundays.

Most Chilean Americans are Catholics. Most immigrated to the United States as a Catholic so this made for an easy transition to the United States. Chilean Americans prefer to attend a service spoken in Spanish versus traditional Latin. They observe many of the same traditions that are connected to patron saints. Chilean Americans will celebrate the birthday of the saint they were named after.

Cuban Americans put a strong emphasis in school. They ensure their children graduate high school and receive a higher education. Almost half the population of Cuban Americans attends private schools to ensure they receive the best education possible. Before Cubans migrated to the United States, they were well educated which ensured they would have a good job when they arrived. Parents with good