Various Aspects of a Number of Hispanic Ethnic Groups - Essay Example

Hispanic Diversity Hispanic Americans represent one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United s. While Hispanic immigration began in the early 20th century, it continues through the present day with Hispanic Americans believed to approach majority status in the 21st century. With the even increasing Hispanic population in the United States, the increased need for understanding dynamics of these ethnic groups is clear. This essay considers four select Hispanic ethnic groups for a variety of sociological elements, and examines specific aspects of Mexican American and Puerto Rican culture. Cuban Americans represent one of the most prominent Hispanic ethnic groups residing within the United States. In terms of social aspects, the Cuban American family structure is notable as for Hispanic Americans they have the lowest percentage of families with five people or more; conversely, they have the highest percentage among Hispanic Americans with two person families (Ramirez 2006). As Cuba was under Spanish rule for a considerable period of time, Cuban culture is today recognized as being heavily influenced by this Spanish period. Still, perhaps the most politically notable element of Cuban Americans is the affiliation with the Castro-regime. A long-time political enemy of the United States, most Cuban Americans resent Fidel Castro for the political rule he instituted on Cuba. Cubans Americans as such have immigrated to the United States in a number of waves beginning most prominently in the 1960s. In the 1970s, Castro himself released a great number of Cubans to the United States in what would be deemed the Muriel Boatlift. Unique among Hispanic groups residing in America, Cuban Americans are generally conservative. This is attributed both as a rejection of Cuban authoritarian regimes and out of a general distaste for the Democratic Party dating back to the Kennedy administration. Cuban Americans are recognized as economically disenfranchised within the United States. Their average salary is indicated to be below $32,000 a year (Ramirez 2006). In terms of religion Cuban Americans generally practice Catholicism. Linguistically Cuban Americans speak a combination of English and Spanish. While the majority of Cuban Americans speak English, their level of English proficiency is understood to vary in accordance with their level of acculturation. Another major recognized Hispanic group residing in the United States are Columbian Americans. Columbian immigration to the United States began as early as World War I, as many professionals moved to New York City. This number increased well into the 1980s (Bryan 2007). While initially Columbian Americans resided in metropolitan areas, their social movements have changed in the last twenty-years, with increased movements to suburban areas. Also similar to social and economic trends among other Hispanic groups, Columbian Americans were recognized for taking work in jobs and industries that had been abandoned by other ethnic groups. With the increasing technological advances of the late 20th century, Columbian Americans increasingly found themselves at economic disadvantages in respect to more established and educated ethnic groups in the United States (Bryan 2007). Politically Columbians are generally liberal. Religiously Columbians generally practice Catholicism. Linguistically Columbian Americans are similar to most other Hispanic ethnic groups in that they speak Spanish and English. Also similar to other Hispanic groups their level of English proficiency is greatly contingent on their level of acculturation. Indeed, a great amount of Columbians residing in America lack citizenship status. In terms of family dynamics Columbians are recognized as attempting to preserve the dynamics that they constructed in Columbia, with the male as the primary wage earner and the female as the head of the household. Children are expected to follow strict family authority as taught by their parents. Recent years have seen gradual shifts from these family trends as females have increasingly assumed responsibility for contributing economically to the household. Another major Hispanic ethnic group residing in America are Brazilian Americans. Similar to the previous ethnic groups Brazilian Americans overwhelming are religiously affiliated with Catholicism. Those not practicing Catholicism have adopted Protestantism, or simply gone without a religious affiliation. Linguistically, many Brazilian Americans lack English fluency. These language challenges are also recognized as one of the primary barriers for Brazilian Americans attempting to secure higher-level positions within the United States, as many Brazilians attain higher-level degrees in their home country. Still, among third and fourth generation Brazilian Americans it’s recognized that they have achieved increased levels of economic success (Bryan 2007). In terms of family dynamics, Brazilians place a great emphasis on the family. In these regards, Brazilian American families generally remain close-knit, with family members residing in close proximity. Linguistically, Brazilian’s home language is Portuguese. Yet similar to other Hispanic groups their level of English proficiency is commensurate with their level of acculturation. Politically, Brazilian Americans are recognized as primarily liberal. In terms of social dynamics, Brazilians demonstrate a number of features. Perhaps most notably is the strong family ties which dictates much Brazilian social life; indeed, many Brazilian Americans will regularly travel home to meet with family members (Bryan 2007). Another prominent Hispanic ethnic group residing in the United States are Salvadoran Americans. While El Salvador is the smallest Central American state, a number of individuals have immigrated to America (Chasteen 2005). In terms of social aspects, Salvadorans are recognized as a highly insular community in that they have their own social clubs and forms of organization. This insularity has also contributed to their problems with integration into American society. Indeed, this has also contributed to Salvadorans relatively poor economic status within American society. Still, this group is recognized as one of the hardest working Hispanic ethnic groups in the United States and has slowly gained more economic power in recent years. Linguistically, Salvadorans’ home language is a version of Spanish that closely resembles that spoken in Mexico. Salvadorans speak English in accordance with their level of acculturation. In terms of family dynamics, Salvadorans demonstrate similar trends as that of other Latin American ethnic groups. In these regards, they have large and close-knit family structures. Economic aspects of contemporary American society have oftentimes changed this familial dynamic in destructive ways. Politically Salvadorans are similar to most other Hispanic ethnic groups in that they are most prominently liberal. Similarly, Salvadorans generally practice Roman Catholicism, with minority groups adopting Protestant denominations. Puerto Ricans have a unique political and citizenship status within the United States. Puerto Rico is recognized as an American territory, but not as an official state. In these regards American laws in large part politically control them. Still, they still operate under their own constitution. In terms of citizenship status, Puerto Ricans retain both Puerto Rican citizenship status as well as citizenship status of United States citizens. These are features unique among Hispanic groups, as they are the only recognized American territory with this status. Perhaps the most prominent Hispanic ethnic group residing in America is Mexican Americans. Mexican Americans have immigrated to the United States as early as the 19th century (Merrill & Miro 1996). Similar to other Hispanic ethnic groups, they have occupied jobs and industries that other Americans have neglected. Oftentimes they have taken labor outside the bounds of the American legal system as a means of procuring work without citizenship status. Indeed, procuring citizenship status is the most prominent issue facing this ethnic group, with political debates regularly occurring as to the extent of the rights of illegal Mexican immigrants residing in the United States. In conclusion, this research essay has explored various aspects of a number of Hispanic ethnic groups. In large part it revealed that these members of society have assumed jobs that were neglected by already established Americans. They have demonstrated generally similar economic and political status as well, with the noted exception being Cuban Americans who are generally politically conservative. Similarly, most groups demonstrate majority affiliation with Roman Catholicism. In terms of difference, the major changes are noted in social aspects, with some groups demonstrating increased emphasis on family structure. References Axelson, John. (1999) Divergent Populations in a Multicultural Society. Brooks/Cole Publishing. Bryan, W. V/ (2007) Multicultural aspects of Contemporary America. (Second Edition). Charles C. Thomas publisher. Springfield Il. Chasteen, John. (2005) Born in Blood: A Concise History of Latin America. W.W. Norton and Company. Merrill Tim L. and Miró Ramón. (1996) Mexico: A Country Study. Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress. Ramirez, Roberto. (2006) ‘The Hispanic Population in the United States: March 2006’ U.S. Census Bureau Read More