The Subculture - Research Paper Example

SUBCULTURE Introduction The subculture to be studied in this research paper relates to the Latinos. Theterm “Latino” is generally used for those people living in America, whose origins are from numerous countries including Mexico, Spain, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Cuba and others. On the other hand, the term “Hispanic” refers only to the people from Spain. The largest number of Latinos in the United States come from Latin America in central and south America, with their numbers increasing rapidly from 1990 to 2000. The ongoing immigration of large numbers of Latinos into the United States is during an era dominated by multiculturalism. Further, Latinos have considerably different histories, cultural approaches and contemporary social problems (Suarez-Orozco & Paez 5). They form a major subculture in the United States, with characteristics that distinguish them from mainstream culture. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the distinctive components of the Latino Subculture. Whether the group sees themselves as a distinct subculture and how they are viewed by the mainstream culture will also be examined. Description of the Latino Subculture The main reason for the presence of various subcultures in the United States is immigration from other countries and environments. “Latinos are not a simple racial or ethnic group, but they are the product of a distinctive civil society” (Hayes-Bautista 5). Latinos are generally described by governmental policy models as: a racial group, a language group, a group with strong affilitation to their traditional culture, a dysfunctional minority group, or an urban underclass. However, the core element of Latinos is the continued presence of a Latino civil society, which provides Latino children with their initial experiences in the social world, teaches them right and wrong, duty, early concepts of civic responsibility, and first notions of personal identity. There is a great heterogeneity among the different groups of Latinos, their experiences depending on various factors such as “race, color, gender, socio-economic status, language, immigrant status, and mode of incorporation into the United States” (Suarez-Orozco & Paez 4). The social practices and cultural models of multiculturalism contribute to the experiences, perceptions and the range of behaviors of both immigrant and native-born Latinos in ways unprecedented during earlier large-scale immigration. The racial and ethnic categorization of Latinos has high stakes political and economic implications such as civil rights, equal opportunities, and affirmative action. Mainland Puerto Ricans and immigrant Dominicans indicate a high level of transnationalism, evident in the economic, political and cultural strategies adopted by diasporic people. They lead double lives with double loyalties, living alternately between their island and the mainland; remitting large sums of money to their homeland, continue to participate in political processes there, and periodically visit their homeland to maintain their social and cultural ties. Transnational behavior, and alternately moving between the mainland and Mexico has been practised by Mexicans also based on the completion of seasonal work (Suarez-Orozco & Paez 332). Components of the Latino Subculture Symbols In the United States Hispanic popular Catholicism, the hope of resurrection or liberation cannot remove the sufferings of the past and the present. It has to emerge from the living memories and symbols of those sufferings: “the tears, the blood, the scars, the crucified Jesus” (Isasi-Diaz & Segovia 280). Thus, the second major symbol of Catholicism is a symbol of celebration, of the hope that continues amidst suffering, the symbol of Mary. Latinos identify Mary with the symbol of the crucified Jesus, and crucification is considered as the root of resurrection not only of Jesus but of all people. Latino symbolism is resilient, and is evident in their determination to transmit a historical identity to the present and future generations of Latinos. Their paintings integrate symbols of the past such as “the architectural wonders of the temples intermingled with mythical figures of ancient gods with scenes of Hispanic/ Latino reality” (Isasi-Diaz & Segovia 113) with current Latino life related to the life of factory workers, the plight of immigrants not documented, the mechanical modern society, the need for education, and other concepts. Thus, Latino symbols are based on their rich history, their present struggles as immigrants, a strong religious heritage that continues to influence the Latino religious spirit. Language The predominant Latino language is Spanish, while other languages are also in use. Latin-American art such as Chicano art, traditional dances from the different regions, modern dance, music, literature, film, theatre, sports, and the varied cuisine have further contributed to the multiculturalism of America (Chong & Baez 130). The media such as radio and television support the continued use of the spoken language. This results in Spanish showing no signs of fading, unlike the native languages of previous immigrants into the United States. Norms Among the norms of the subculture is the concept of Latino family values that emphasize on “interdependency and respect for generational hierarchies” (Dumka, Lopez & Carter 218). Children depend on their parents and other elders for helping in decision making and other important issues. This dependency is based on respect for older generations for their wisdom and experience. In more than one-half of the total sample of Latino names, Bletzer (p.218) found research evidence that the most common naming device is the designation of one’s identity by reference to national origin: mainly Mexico, Cuba, or Puerto Rico. Sometimes the name may go beyond the boundaries of national origin to a regional or macroregional origin such as the Latin American Latino or Latina, and occasionally may refer to the Mexico/ Texas borderlands. Nearly one-half of the headwords of restaurants had origin names, and up to 86 percent of grocery stores had names referring to a place that was left behind such as Mexico, or a state in the United States such as Texas. Values and Beliefs Latinos generally emphasize the significance of family, the progress of their community, respect to elders, loyalty, honor and pride in their cultural heritage and have a strong desire to succeed. Moreover, their goals are not limited for themselves, but encompass their community. Thus, some values of Latino culture impacts their approach, attitude and behavioral patterns in connection with ambition, leadership and success. Further, “the spiritual and sentimental aspects of life such as the family” (Chong & Baez 130) are considered to be more important by Latinos, in relation to material wealth. They often emphasize the importance of “being” rather than “doing” or “having”, and of enjoying every moment to the fullest. Providing for the security and comfort of the family, rather than aiming for material possessions or great financial success is inherent in Latino culture, and overly ambitious people are generally avoided for fear of being used by them. Latinos adapt to the western culture when outside their home, but maintain the cultural practices of their country of origin, within their homes. Whether Latinos View Themselves as a Distinctive Subculture Immigrants such as the Latinos find it extremely difficult to integrate into American mainstream society because of the discrimination they face from the host country’s people. Latinos face discrimination in many aspects: health care, every day stereotyping, and promotion in the workplace are all areas of unfairness which have to be encountered on a daily basis (Vasquez 880). Latinos view themselves as a distinctive subculture, and base their identities on family origins, socialization and personal feelings regarding issues. Several Latinos feel that they are “neither American nor real members of their ancestral culture” (Suarez-Orozco & Paez 332), but others are overcoming this dilemma by embracing both cultures. How Latnos are Viewed by the Mainstream Culture People of the mainstream culture view Latinos as an immigrant group which is using up resources and state welfare that rightfully belongs to the white Americans. Thus, they discriminate against people belonging to the subculture in almost all aspects of daily life: health care, welfare, housing, admission to schools, higher education, job opportunities, promotion in the workplace, etc due to negative stereotyping. Further, as the oppressed group increases in numbers in the society, cooperation from people belonging to the mainstream decreases, group threat increases, and discriminatory behavior including backlash events occur with greater frequency (Vasquez 882). The 1992 Los Angeles riots and the violent incidents preceding them attest to the rise of racialized nativism directed towards recent immigrants (Chryssochoou 120). Conclusion This paper has highlighted Latino subculture in the United States. The evidence indicates that although Latinos originate from several countries with diverse languages and customs, there is a similarity among their traditional values, perspectives and approaches. While retaining their distinctive language, norms, values, beliefs, symbols and gestures, Latino subculture has drawn from western culture in its social manifestation. Thus, Latinos contribute to the diversity of American culture; their distinctive subculture continues to prevail in the homes, daily customs, and goals of the Latino people as a group. Latinos’ inability to become a part of the host country’s social fabric results in various negative consequences of diversity such as discrimination and inequity. Multiculturalism is a reality that has to be adapted to by the diverse American society, and various measures are required to be taken for successfully ensuring inclusion and equality of the subcultural groups such as the Latinos. Works Cited Bletzer, Keith V. Latino naming practices of small-town businesses in rural Southern Florida. Ethnology, 42.3 (2003): pp.209-219. Chong, Nilda & Baez, Francia. Latino culture: A dynamic force in the changing American workplace. Maine: Intercultural Press. (2005). Chryssochoou, Xenia. Cultural diversity: Its social psychology. New York: Blackwell Publishing. (2004). Dumka, Larry E, Lopez, Vera A. & Carter, Sara J. In Josephina M. Contreras, Kathryn A. Kerns & Neal-Barnett, Angela M. (Eds.). Latino children and families in the United States: Current research and future directions. Connecticut: Praeger. (2002). Hayes-Bautista, David E. La neuve California: Latinos in the Golden State. The United States of America: University of California Press. (2004). Isasi-Diaz, Ada M. & Segovia, Fernando F. Hispanic/ Latino theology: Challenge and promise. The United States of America: Fortress Press. (1996). Suarez-Orozco, Marcelo & Paez, Mariela. Latinos: Remaking America. Edition 2. The United States of America: University of California Press. (2008). Vasquez, Melba J.T. Complexities of the Latina experience: A tribute to Martha Bemal. American Psychologist, 57.11 (2002): pp.880-888. Read More