Hispanic American Diversity
This essay seeks to identify the linguistic, political, social, economic, religious, and familial conventions or statuses of four Hispanic American groups. The paper takes a look at Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans and Dominican Republic. A summary of the similarities and differences of these Hispanic groups is also given.
First is the Puerto Rican community which forms an estimated 10 of the Hispanic Americans population (Ramirez, 2004). Owing to the fact that they hail from Puerto Rico nation which is a commonwealth of the America, its members are legally recognized as citizens of America (Tate, 2008). They therefore enjoy freedom of movement into the US. Still, due to the commonwealth status, most of its members are fluent in English, factor which gives them an added advantage over other nation. However, the group has Spanish as its primary language of communication.
In religion, the Puerto Ricans are predominantly Roman Catholic believers (Tate, 2008). Nevertheless, some of its members are protestant, particularly Methodist and Baptist, and even Muslims faith believers. Due to the fact that they are legally recognized as American citizens, Puerto Ricans are allowed to participate in American political activities except to vote in presidential elections (Schaefer, 2006). Puerto Ricans have a strong family as is depicted in the communal life they live. This, coupled with their strong religious background has been attributed to the high levels of friendliness. Such could also be seen as a factor to the low rates of divorce and abortion in this ethnic group.
Economically, the Puerto Ricans are economically established, a factor which can be closely attributed to their automatic citizens increasing their access to jobs (Tate, 2008). Another reason is the fact that they have a competitive advantage at the job market over other Hispanic communities due to their fluency in English (Schaefer, 2006). The American federal government exempts them from taxation thus maximizing their investment or job turnover.
Second is the Mexican Americans. The Hispanic ethnic group is the largest forming about 59 of the Hispanic American population which is estimated to be 9 of the overall American population (Tate, 2008). Mexican Americans have Spanish as their primary communicating language. However, most of their second and higher generations are quite fluent in speaking English thanks to the introduction of bilingual education in the community (Ramirez, 2004). This can also be associated to the eminent need for knowing English as a survival tool in the American nation. In American politics, the group is quite influential particularly due to their large population.
On religious issues, Mexican American population is dominantly made up of Roman Catholic believers (Schaefer, 2006). However, the group still has some protest believers. The group has noted be quite active in investment, a possible reason why most of its members are poor. Nevertheless, their large population is marked with almost all type of skilled and professionals personnel (Schaefer, 2006). It is due to this reason that the group enjoys a big share in the job market including holding position in federal government offices.
On family conventions, the groups upholds family bond as a core social structure (Schaefer, 2006). Indeed, it is why they are seen to treasure their extended families by living a communal life. However, family structures are currently changing due to economic hardships and increasing assimilation into the mainstream culture. This can be further supported by the fact that Mexican women are increasingly engaging in employment to support their families.
The third group is the Cuban Americans which a count 4 of the Hispanic American population (Pew Hispanic Center, 2006). Cuban Americans use primarily use Spanish for communication. Nevertheless, due to their quite for gaining an added advantage in the American job market, the most of its members are able to speak fluent English. The introduction of bilingual education has sufficiently helped in making second and higher generation more fluent in English.
The Cuban Americans are legally recognized as American citizens by the American constitution. They are therefore entailed to enjoy all American political rights including nomination of their own political leaders (Pew Hispanic Center, 2006). The group evidently practices conservative politics as is portrayed by its current representative in the House of Representatives. This ethnic group has been established as one of the most assimilated into the mainstream culture (Tate, 2008). However, despite this, they still uphold their strong family bond culture. This is evident from the unity they portray as a family.
Economically, the Cuban Americans are well established in entrepreneurship as well as in the formal employment sector (Pew Hispanic Center, 2006). The investment prosperity of this Hispanic American ethnic group can be evident in the fact that they have changed Miami into a modern city through business investment. Just to be noted is the fact that the group has a strong treasure for its culture as evident in the international recognition of Miami as city of Hispanic favorites (Tate, 2006). On religious matters, the community is made up a mixture of religions including even non-believers. However, Roman Catholic is the most common religious faith.
The fourth group is the Dominican Americans. The group forms an estimated 3 of the Hispanic American population (Tate, 2008). The Dominican Americans just like other Hispanic American speak Spanish as their primary language. However, some members of the group particularly second and third generations can speak English fluently. This can be attributed by the need to adapt to the American culture as well as the introduction of bilingual education in the community. Members of this group are now becoming more politically active after the Dominican Republic nation enacted a law allowing for dual citizenships in 1994(Schaefer, 2006).
Most Dominicans living in American practice Roman Catholic faith with a minority practicing Protestant faith (Tate, 2008). The community is found to have a strong family bond. This has been cited as a contributing factor to their strong links back to their motherland. It has been established that most Dominicans living in America do not invest back home as a sign of commitment to family expectations. Dominicans believe in big families (Schaefer, 2006). However, with tough economic conditions, the trend is evidently changing.
Economically, the Dominican American community is generally poor (Tate, 2008). This has been closely attributed to the fact that most of its members are not legally recognized as American citizens (Schaefer, 2006). This gives them the disadvantage of failing to get quality jobs. Still, the group lacks strong political protection thus making its members unable to enjoy their labor rights. Their poor living status has also been attributed to the fact that they mainly invest back home rather than establishing investments in American.
In conclusion, the four Hispanic groups predominantly practice Roman Catholic faith (Tate, 2008). Other similarities include the eminent use of Spanish language as a primary language and the strong family culture common among the four groups.
The groups are however difference in their assimilation into the mainstream culture. Cuban Americans have been more assimilated compared to Dominicans (Schaefer, 2006). Another difference is investment practice where the Dominicans are the least compared to Cuban Americans. The last difference is the political influence where unlike Cubans, Puerto Ricans cannot vote for American president.
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