Hispanic American Diversity - Essay Example

Hispanic American Diversity Mexican Americans Mexican Americans comprise the most numerous ethnic group of Hispanic population in the USA. They have long-term historical ties with the United States through borderlands. It separates Mexican population only conditionally, because it can not cancel emigration, flux of financial capital and mass media, or NAFTA. It promotes growth of socio-economic welfare of the population, because thousands of inhabitants either work at maquiladors on the Mexican side, or labor emigrants. Maquiladora workers get on average $2.00 - $2.50. The majority of labor emigrants cross US border legally, because they look for reliable jobs with higher earnings to support their families in Mexico. Due to geographical proximity to the USA Mexican Americans have tight social and family conventions. Abroad they keep on living in ethnic communities and lived-in regions (Texas, California, New Mexico). Having settled firmly, relatives and friends always assist newcomers in job application, social support, lodging or legalization. Hometown clubs allow Mexican Americans to retain close relations in native towns and with local communities in the USA. Mexican families are multigenerational and high percentage of children live with their parents even after graduation. As all Hispanic population, Mexican Americans are Roman Catholics. Their religious beliefs and celebrations combine Christian and local heathen traditions. They regularly visit church on Sundays. As for linguistic conventions, “about 23 percent of Mexican Americans are English dominant, 26 percent are bilingual, and 51 percent are Spanish dominant.” (Schaefer, 2006, p. 241) “No Spanish” rule is a social norm in state educational institutions. This statistics shows that Mexican Americans tend to bilingualism, that’s why the majority of students are involved into ESL educational programs. Thus, they improve their perfection of English, but do not tear themselves away from national culture, because they often visit motherland. Dominican Americans Diaspora of Dominican Americans makes approximately 1.5 million and 2/3 of them live in the United States. The largest Dominican communities exist in Haverstraw, Sleepy Hollow, Bronx, Manhattan (NY), Passaic, Perth Amboy (NJ), Lawrence (MA) and other metropolitan areas on the East coast. Thus, the majority are urban residents united in national communities. It allows keeping close socio-cultural relations with fellow-countrymen outside Dominican Republic. For example, such national dances as meringue and bachata became worldwide popular. Dominican Americans organize cultural clubs, courses of English language, social protection programs to support the newcomers and the socially unprotected. Many students are involved in ESL programs due to high percentage of Spanish-speaking. In such a way they try to preserve their national identity and to consolidate their socio-economic position in the new home country. Besides, high population density in particular states has turned Dominican Americans in an influential political force. There is a significant socio-economic gap between immigrants of the first and second generations. Approximately 25% of younger generation and US-born Dominican Americans have college graduation. As a result of racial mixture, Dominicans differ according to color gradient and, thus, can be easily mixed up with other Hispanic groups or Non-Hispanic Whites. American culture impacts family life of this ethnic group. The majority of them are Roman Catholics or Baptists. Life within community implies multigenerational families, respect of the elderly and steady family values. Dominican American females have more freedom in independent living, earning money and making career than the other Latinas. Cuban Americans Within the twentieth century Diaspora of Cuban Americans in the USA has been growing steadily from ca. 80,000 in 1960 up to almost 1.5 million in 2000. Constant influx of emigrants started after Castro’s Revolution of 1959. Representatives of waves of emigration densely dwelled in Miami and neighboring states. They take an active part in the city economic development and tourism promotion. Many Cuban Americans of elder generation are political immigrants, that’s why they lead an active political life in the USA. They support anti-Castro public mood through the Cuban-American national Foundation and protect of rights of the recently arrived immigrants. As compared with other Hispanic groups, there is high percentage of well-educated specialists among all waves of immigration. 23% of Cuban Americans graduated from colleges. Cuban American students are involved into bilingual education, but their parents also inspire them learning Spanish, which has become business language in Miami. Usually Cuban Americans have higher living standards then other ethnic minorities because of tight socio-economic support and family relations. Cuban Miamian community significantly affects socio-cultural and political background of the region; for example, it reflects on holidays celebration, carnivals, numerous soccer fields, menu in local cafes and restaurants. It impacts their relations with other Hispanic minorities, because “Cuban Miamians are slowly adjusting to sharing their influence with the growing diversity of Hispanics.” (Schaefer, 2006, p. 250) Due to historical reasons most of Cuban Americans are Roman Catholics. The principle of multigenerational families is typical for them, especially if they have family business. Puerto Rican Americans Puerto Ricans have automatically became US citizens by Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917, that’s why it promoted free migration and positively affected their socio-economic position comparing with other Hispanic population. At present circa 4.3 million of Puerto Rican Americans live in all states with the largest communities in New York, Connecticut, Ohio, New Jersey. Thus, they are a powerful political force both state and federal levels. Many famous politicians and public figures are Puerto Ricans by origin. They historically vary by color of skin. They have tight family relations, because often support recently immigrant relatives. Nevertheless, younger generation prefers life style and family model of White Americans. Approximately 30 – 35% of Puerto Ricans graduated from colleges and universities; this ethnic group has the highest percentage of skilled labor force in the USA. Puerto Rican American students are participated into ESL programs, but many of them know English perfectly. Large national communities promote socio-cultural support in the form of linguistic courses, professional advanced training etc. Bibliography 1. Schaefer, Richard T. (2006). Hispanic Americans. In Pearson Education, Inc., Racial and Ethnic Groups, (pp.236 - 254). NY: Prentice-Hall. Read More