Hispanic Cultural Group/Issues in Human Diversity - Research Paper Example

HISPANICS CULTURE According to the Nixon administration, the term Hispanic de s a relationship to Spanish culture. The Hispanicculture has been increasingly influential in world affairs especially with the growth of the economies of Latin America. The culture is said to have originated from Southern Europe and shaped by the Spanish (Erickson, 2001). The Spanish conquered the Americans and spread a culture and a way of life that lives up to this day. The Spanish themselves were said to have been influenced a lot by other races, such as the Indians, and even Africans.

As a result, any attempt to categorize Hispanics as a race without taking these influences to account will at best present an incomplete picture since these groups brought their various identities combining them to form the Hispanic culture.Talking about the Hispanic culture, one has to examine the areas where its influence runs. The main ones are; family, religion and relationships. To place the importance of family among Hispanics into good context, it’s important to realize that among Hispanics, it is natural and acceptable for multi-generational families to share a roof (Erickson, 2001).

They place high value on family. Most Hispanics are predominantly Catholics. The current tour by the Pope to the region has shown their dedication to their religion and even denomination. Hispanics also value relationships a lot. Their relationships are well exemplified in the programs they produce, where the prevailing theme is undying love.Several factors have influenced Hispanic culture as we know it. The foremost is colonialism. The Spanish invaded Latin America and with them brought a culture that left an imprint which exists today, many years after independence.

The values of the two groups are extremely similar. They share language and religious beliefs (Noble & LaCasa, 1991). The focus on society and shunning of individualism is common in both. The second influence I shall address is the influence of capitalism, and specifically the influence of the United States of America upon Hispanic culture.In a region where unemployment is rampant, capitalism seems to have brought with it many negative influences. The region is now at the sharp end in the war against drugs.

Unemployment has made people resort to drug trade to earn a living. Few Hispanic nations are today free of this drug menace originating from Colombia to Mexico (Noble & LaCasa, 1991). Along with drugs come gangs and unbridled violence. All these afflict the Hispanic nation today.It is a huge challenge stating definitively the opportunities and/or obstacles of being a Hispanic in a short paper. However, I shall endeavor to set it out in general terms and give as much explanation as is feasible.

One huge opportunity that Hispanics have is that of influencing policy and politics in the United States (Noble & LaCasa, 1991). Their numbers are growing exponentially as immigration into the United States in search for jobs increases. In the next few years, their population will account for 30% of U.S population.The main threat facing Hispanics is poverty. Most of the people who risk their lives trying to reach the U.S do so due to poverty in their home countries. The poverty is going to escalate in the coming years as the population growth rate increases.

To make it worse, this will drive more youths into crime; thus, exacerbating an already unbearable situation in countries like Mexico.Access to education is also limited among Hispanics. Only few people have good jobs, and they are normally expected to provide for their large families, something unsustainable. By and large, Hispanic culture is good when it’s not diluted by the capitalist excesses of the West. However, in an increasingly Westernized world, they need to put more emphasis on education as well as fight the intensifying crime, if they are to engage as equals in the modern world.

ReferencesErickson, Howard (2001). Before You Go. Florida: Deeper Roots Publications.Noble, J. & LaCasa, J. (1991). The Hispanic way: Aspects of behavior, attitudes, and customs of the Spanish-speaking world. Chicago: Passport Books Publishers.