...Each of the groups, Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and South Americans are from different geographical regions, but are generally categorized as one in the same due to their comparable appearance and the similarities in their languages. The base of each language is Spanish at its root, but the differences in the meanings of certain words and the varying accents distinguish them. Two of the groups are from similar areas, Mexican Americans and South Americans, but they have different dialects. The primary language spoken by Cubans is Spanish, but just like the Puerto Ricans they speak English as well. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, there are nearly 860,000 persons of Cuban descent in the United States. Of these, 541,000, or almost 63 percent of the total, live in Florida. The majority of these Cuban Americans like in Sade County, the county in which Miami is located. Additionally, there are considerably sized communities in California, New York, New Jersey. These three states combined, account for 23 percent of the Cuban American population. Although there is a large population in the previous mentioned states, Florida and Miami hold steady as the center of the Cuban American community. The Cuban American communities have been well absorbed in the United States. Furthermore, because of the sheer size of the population, they have a significant political influence. In 1993, the Cuban American National Foundation petitioned against, and effectively prevented the...
Words: 1296 - Pages: 6
...Hispanic American Diversity ETH 125 Wk. 7 Assignment Mexican Americans are a diverse people who have attained socioeconomic, linguistic assimilation, and permissible status. Many work rigorously to get away from the modest reputation of past ancestry. “Hispanics who are born in the United States or have lived in the United States for 10 years speak English well; English is the dominant language by the second generation; and by the third generation monolingualism is common” (Alba, 2006). The obvious prevalence of Spanish spoken by Hispanics is because of immigration. Mexican Americans are different from the Cuban Americans that are established in Miami who have innovations, finance and business acumen and a dispersed amount of ethnic economy throughout Miami. Throughout the history of immigration to America, Mexicans seem to have made little progress in moving up from immigrant status to mainstream social status, partly due to the amount of discrimination and the poor educational systems provided to them. Cuban Americans have had a substantial influence on United States organization as a result of the nation's unsettled government associations with Cuba. The Cuban American population is mostly clustered within Florida, where they have lived since 1831 (Schaefer, 2006). Many generations later, diplomatic pressures have resulted in communal experiences composed of people on the run from the Communist Cuban governance to reside in the United States and migrating in...
Words: 1057 - Pages: 5
...Hispanic American Diversity ETH/125 Cultural Diversity For the assignment due this week I have had to do some research on Hispanic groups and learn more about their culture and more. In the following the political, social, economic, religious, and familial conventions or statuses will be discussed shortly about the Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and ………… Mexican Americans are one of the fastest growing groups in the United States and for this reason they should be able to have a powerful say in politics. However when it comes to politics and more specifically voting, they just don’t have a voice very loud just yet. Although they due play a larger role in the southwestern states than other parts of the country since this is where the vast majority live. This is in part due to the fact that many are either younger Americans or just not U.S. citizens yet. Socially and familial conventions the Mexican Americans still in generally hold different thoughts and lifestyles than that of the majority of U.S. citizens. The core groups of Mexican Americans hold strong ties to family and even extended family is just as important as immediate. Woman are greatly respected and loved but still considered secondary when it comes to their husbands who are seen as the authority figure for the family. They typically very large families and everyone is kept very close. Catholicism is the religion that the vast...
Words: 1521 - Pages: 7
...Hispanic American Diversity NAME CLASS DATE TEACHER Hispanic American Diversity When we look at people's it's interesting to see that they are different in some ways yet alike in other ways. The people may be from different parts of the world, however, they share the same language, religious beliefs and even skin color. Some people are very protective of their cultures and become offended if you mistake their culture for a similar culture. Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans and Latinos are four groups that fit into this category. This research paper will give us an in-depth look at each group identifying their similarities and their differences. Mexico is a Latin country with a complex culture that spans different times in history. The Mexicans are proud of their country, culture and lifestyle and try to preserve it as much as possible even when they are living anywhere other than Mexico. Out of the 26.4 million Hispanics that live in America, 64% of them are Mexican Americans (Thinkquest.org). The Mexican American culture is a mixture of the Mexican culture and the American culture and often causes them to stand out. The primary influence comes from Spain while the secondary influence comes from America. Mexican Americans have strong ties to their families loving each other and taking care of each other. Honor within the family connects all the members together and loyalty without question is expected. They work hard, strive to live in...
Words: 1464 - Pages: 6
...Hispanic American Diversity The United States is known for its multiculturalism as people from Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Australia have settled down in America and these people constitute what America is today. Regarding the ethnicity, the influence of Hispanic or Latino groups is very strong in the land. Richard T. Schaefer rightly observes that “more than one in eight people in the U.S. population are of Spanish or Latin American origin” (Schaefer, 2006, p. 236). The writer, after taking the data from the same book, asserts that among the population of America, one third is constituted by these Hispanic groups. Among the major Hispanic groups, Mexican Americans take the major portion. The other groups, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, and others have relevant influence in America. These Hispanic or Latino groups, that constitute a major portion among the population of America, are not well considered in the land. This research paper takes a study on Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban, and central/south Americans and analyses the linguistic, political, social, economic, religious and familial problems of these groups in America. Mexicans: Mexicans are the largest group among the Latino Americans. They contribute about one third of all Hispanic groups: “as of 2002, about 23 percent of Mexican Americans are English dominant, 26 percent are bilingual, and 51 percent are Spanish dominant” (Schaefer, 2006, p. 241). It indicates that Mexicans in America...
Words: 1706 - Pages: 7
...Hispanic American Diversity Several different groups fall under the Hispanic Group. Cuban, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and Colombian are the four groups that I have chosen to compare and contrast their differences and similarities. Mexican Americans is one of the largest groups in the United States. They comprise 66% of all Hispanics. Spanish is the main language, but Spanglish, which is the combination of Spanish and English, is being used more and more frequently among younger generations (Bravo, 2005). Mexican American culture varies and is constantly changing due to the influence of other cultures (Bravo, 2005). The social roles in the Mexican Americans are very well defined especially in the more traditional families. Traditionally Mexican families are male dominated but over the years that has changed due to the dominant culture here in the United States. Women were expected to stay at home and take care of the house and the children while the men worked. This has since changed; more women are working outside of the home. Mexican Americans have very strong bonds to grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, godfathers, godmothers, and so on. They are also stereotyped for being Catholics. This is not true. Majority are of them are Catholic, but there are also Protestants, Muslims, Jews, Mormons, etc. Mexican Americans are as equally segregated and discriminated as blacks. The income for Mexican Americans is 40% less than non-Hispanic whites and although...
Words: 903 - Pages: 4
...Hispanic American Diversity ETH/125 November 20, 2011 Hispanic American Diversity Introduction The purpose of this discussion is to identify the differences and similarities among four different Hispanic American subcultures. When most people think of Latino or Hispanic Americans, they tend to believe that they are all part of the same native background because they speak the Spanish language. Despite their similarities, there is much diversity in each group’s social, economic, educational, political, and religious interests. The Spanish culture has grown immensely in the United States over the years and they live in many regions of the country. The Hispanics introduce new customs and traditions to the American Society. By exploring their ethnic background Americans can heighten their understanding of the Hispanic culture. Mexican Americans Language Mexican Americans also called “Chicanos” make up nearly two-thirds of the Hispanic Americans in the United States (Schaefer, 2006). Bilingual speaking is common among Mexican Americans as they tend to speak both English and Spanish within their household. Mexican Americans seem to be using English more dominantly than their native language because they are constantly trying to advance far above the other Hispanic groups in the American society (Alba, 2006). Education Very few Mexican Americans are pursuing a higher education. A survey conducted during the late 1980s displays that roughly 10 percent of Mexican Americans...
Words: 2019 - Pages: 9
...Hispanic American Diversity The United States has always been a country that has many diverse racial and ethnic groups. The United States has the highest and fastest growing minority group, the Hispanics. The population of Hispanics continues to grow every year and they have become a big part of the United States. I believe Hispanics play a major role in the United States and they have a lot to offer. The Hispanic population helps to support the economy and the work force. Hispanic groups have always played an important part in the growth of the United States. The first Hispanic group that I will be talking about is the Puerto Rican group. The Jones Act of 1917 made Puerto Ricans living in the island of Puerto Rico and the mainland American citizens. Puerto Ricans are a Spanish speaking group that maintains a close relationship with their ethnicity. Puerto Ricans consider themselves to be Americans, but they are still proud of their culture and where they come from. Puerto Ricans are very nice people and they always make one feel at home. Puerto Ricans usually greet people with a hug and kiss on the cheeks (Schaefer, 2006). Family life and the amount of time they spend with their family are very important to the Puerto Rican society as well as other Hispanic groups. Puerto Ricans usually call themselves Boricuas. Puerto Ricans usually live close to family members and attend activities such as going to church, which is a very important part of...
Words: 1080 - Pages: 5
...Ashley Jones William Conway University of Phoenix Ethnic Diversity/125 June 23, 2012 “Hispanic Americans”, many may ask who am I speaking of? This ethnic group does not have one population or philosophy though Hispanics are as much of a diversity group as any other. This historical culture has an ancestral background of Spanish and Latin American. What so great about this cultural is because they can be descendants of Europeans, Indians, and Africans, or a mixture of the three. Hispanic Americans or Latinos have ethnic relations to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and of course Spain. When culture comes to mind people take in what they see visually and interact within the environment and region or a group of people who are distinctly different from the rest of the people in the world. “Prophetically, over a hundred years ago, the great American poet, Walt Whitman, said, "I have an idea that there is much of importance about the Latin contributions to American nationality that will never be put with sympathetic understanding and tact on the record." Whitman was correct.” Hispanics have many distinctive characteristics that separate their culture from any other. Their culture can have a complexity, but its nature can be expressed beautifully. Hispanic Americans contribute to the commonwealth of the United States; they have mutual citizenship, legal tender and security within the United States of America. Their population is a total of 3.8 million with...
Words: 1099 - Pages: 5
...Hispanic American Diversity When you think about Hispanics you might think that it is one ethnic group, however there are many ethnic groups incorporated under the heading Hispanics. For my topic today I am going to cover Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans and people from Colombia. While they are all Hispanic they have different languages, traditions and family makeup. In this paper we will discuss the differences and the similarities of these diverse groups of people. It is amazing that although they cover such a vast amount of land geographically, there is so many things that they have in common. Mexican Americans are people of Mexican decent that have either been born here in the United States or became a United States citizen after immigrating here. A lot of people that believe that Mexican Americans work at jobs here in the United States that natural born citizens will not do, such as harvesting crops, bussing tables in restaurants and general labor positions. They take these jobs and are not paid a competitive wage. It seems to stand to reason that if they would not take these jobs, the employers would be forced to increase the salary, and they would not have to work for such substandard wages. While they come to this country with Spanish as their primary language, many immigrants learn English and it becomes their primary language. While it is harder for the older people to master English, when their children are enrolled in public education it is easier...
Words: 1237 - Pages: 5
...Hispanic American Diversity For many people, it is a frequent misunderstanding that all Hispanics are the same. Instead, there are many different groups that make up the Hispanic group. While many similarities do exist among the Hispanic groups, it is their dissimilarities that set them apart from one another. The compilation of data in this paper will demonstrate the linguistic, social, economic, religious and familial conventions and statuses among Mexican Americans, Cubans, Guatemalans and Puerto Ricans residing in America. Mexican Americans could possibly be one of the most universally known groups of Hispanic origin residing in the United States. According to the Encarta Encyclopedia (2008), “The Mexican American population includes Whites, Native Americans, Mestizos and Mulattos.” No matter what part of the population, a Mexican American is a descendent of, they all share the same interest for the Roman Catholic Church. In fact, it is the church that Mexican Americans base their opinions on sexual, education and politics. If Roman Catholicism is not the religion of preference, one will find Mexican Americans practicing Protestantism. As with the majority of Hispanics, Mexican Americans If Roman Catholicism is not the religion of preference, one will find Mexican Americans practicing Protestantism. As with the majority of Hispanics, Mexican Americans use Spanish as their central language. Spanish is spoken at home for religious occasions, amongst family, and...
Words: 1404 - Pages: 6
...to art and cuisine Hispanic Americans have a big impact on the United States. A Spanish speaking person, from Mexico Spain, and from Central America to Cuba is presented as Latino or Hispano. Below is a review of political, linguistic, social, economic, religious and familial principles of four Hispanic American groups and how they added to the affluent variety of American culture. Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican represent the fastest growing portion of Hispanic population in the U.S. and are characterized by differences as well as similarities in various life aspects. Mexican Americans presently have established themselves more in economic, social, linguistic and legal sphere. They make up one of the largest immigrant groups in the country, with their tradition accomplishing further back than other American groups. According to 2006 American Community Survey, a number of 28,339,354 from total Hispanic population of 44,252, 248 are Mexican Americans which represents 64% of total Hispano. “The family unit is the single most important social unit in the life of Hispanics; the traditional concepts of manhood and womanhood, however, appear to be changing toward a more egalitarian model with increased exposure to American society; the majority of Mexicans are Roman Catholic”. (Warrix, M. Cultural Diversity: Eating in America. Mexican American, para. 8). Despite their strong pride of Hispanic heritage, the primary language of Mexican Americans is English. Although...
Words: 1110 - Pages: 5
...Hispanic-Americans make up a large ethnic group in the United States. Many Americans believe Hispanics are much the same and group them together (panethnicity) but, in fact, the groups are very diverse. Hispanics come from a variety of different cultures and include Mexican-Americans, Puerto Rican-Americans, Cuban-Americans, and Central Americans. Each of these groups vary in their customs, religious beliefs, political views, family views, and other conventions that make them similar in some ways, and very different in others (Franklin, 2009). This paper will discuss the various cultures of Mexican-Americans, Puerto Rican-Americans, Cuban-Americans, and Venezuelan-Americans in America. Mexican-Americans As a result of the Mexican-American war, about 80,000 Mexicans resided in the United States due to the accumulation of New Mexico and California. Even though many returned to Mexico, the majority stayed in the United States and gained their citizenship after two years (Englekirk and Martin, 2009). Since then, Mexican immigration to the United States has grown significantly and for various reasons. Today, Mexican-Americans make up about two thirds of the Hispanic population in the United States (Schaefer, 2006). The first indigenous Mexican people were various Indians such as Mixtec, Aztec, Mayan, Olmec, Toltec, Zapotec, and Teotihuacan who assimilated with Spaniards after Spain invaded Mexico. Mexican families were typically male dominated but close-knit due to respect...
Words: 2572 - Pages: 11
...Week Seven Assignment: Hispanic American Diversity Axia Collage of University of Phoenix What are the differences associated with language, some of the political issues, social, economic, religious, and family conventions between Hispanic groups in America? There are many subgroups within the Hispanic Americans but the groups that will be touched on are Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans and central and South Americans. Mexican-Americans is comprised almost two-thirds of Hispanic Americans. They speak both English and Spanish, but some of the older family members only speak Spanish and the younger generations speak Spanish and English, which might be because they are attending schools in America where most of the language is English. There are more and more companies that have the option to hear functions in Spanish when conducting business on the phone. As a matter of fact, I cannot think of any company in the United States that does not include Spanish option in their automated answering services. While the language barrier is not as evident as it was before, it still exists. This makes conducting business transactions easier for this group to fully understand. The home life has a strong family oriented point of view, full of their customs and traditions of their homeland. Politically, the biggest issue that directly affects the Mexican-American population is the debate regarding the Mexican borders and the efforts which should be made...
Words: 648 - Pages: 3
...The Latino or Hispanic is a term generally used to group the Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans and Central or South Americans. Though all of these individual ethnicities have very similar attributes and values, there are some various differences in where they come from, religious beliefs and social standings in the United States. The Mexican American was typically viewed as the person who came from Mexico to work, then return to Mexico to support his family. (Franklin, 2006) According to Franklin, the core of the Mexican American is the immediate and extended family. Many Mexican Americans tend to be very spiritual and deep into religion predominately the Catholic faith. Economically, the Mexican Americans income is steadily increasing but still remains lower than the Anglo Americans. (Hispanic Americans, 2006) The Mexican American population is growing in this country and they are not following the typical stereotype of coming to America to work the fields and return to Mexico. Many are staying and looking for permanent work in cities and education in our schools. They continue to practice their beliefs and hold the same religious and moral values as their Mexican ancestors. Puerto Ricans sometimes get grouped in with Mexicans because of the common Latin background. There is an obvious difference which is Puerto Ricans being from Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens since they are a territory of the U.S. One difference between Mexican and Puerto Rican households...
Words: 1104 - Pages: 5
