Human Relations in a Diverse Society

Unit 6

Over 25 Ethnic and Cultural Groups

• From Central/South America and the Caribbean

• Fastest growing cultural group in U.S.

• 50+ percent increase from 1990 to 2000

• 22.4 million to 32.8 million for population

Key Factors for Population Growth

• Primarily to higher birthrates

• Secondary factors include:

Immigration from Mexico, Caribbean,and Central and South America

Greater longevity Addition of more subgroups

Population Growth Does Not Include “Unauthorized Migrants”

• U.S. census does not include the number of undocumented immigrants or unauthorized migrants

• Unauthorized migrants: “A person who resides in the United States, but who is not a U.S. citizen, has not been admitted for permanent residence, and is not included within a set of specific authorized temporary statuses permitting longer-term residence and work” (Passel, Van Hook, and Bean, 2004)

• In 2004, 10.3 million unauthorized migrants from Mexico and other Latin American countries

Hispanic—a Generic Term

• Spanish surname and Spanish people who reside in U.S. and Puerto Rico

• Latino is preferred label on west coast, east coast and southeast

• Hispanic is preferred on the east coast byPuerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Cubans

Federal Standards in 2003

• “Latino” and “Hispanic” may be usedinterchangeably

• Latino/Hispanic American communitiesmay have local and regional preferencesfor terms used

Historical Background

• U.S. expansionist policy under Manifest Destiny included indigenous people

• Boundaries between the U.S. and Mexicoare seen as artificial

• Migration of people occurred as a result of theMexican Revolution (after 1910)

• Puerto Ricans migrated to the U.S. after WWII

• Cubans immigrated to the U.S. in three waves

• Other immigrants are from 21 other countries of South and Central American, and the Caribbean

Demographics• U.S. population is 41.3 million—14 percent

• Largest population is in California, Texas,New York, Florida, and Illinois

• Median age is 26 compared to 35

• Household size is 3.5 compared to 2.6• Higher birthrate of 104.8 per 1,000

compared to 65.4

• Purchasing power is $653 billion in 2003

• 88 percent reside in metropolitan areas

• Self-identification is most strongly shown in the use and knowledge of Spanish

Labels and Terms

• Government designation allows for “Latino” and “Labels and Terms Hispanic”

• Groups prefer personal identification

• Use of slurs or epithets is not acceptable

Myths and Stereotypes ofLatino/Hispanic Americans

1. Illegal aliens

2. Lazy and as poor workers

3. Uneducated and disinterested in educational pursuits

4. Young males as gang members and drug dealers

5. All speak Spanish

Latino/Hispanic American Family

• Bonds of interdependence, unity, and loyaltyform core family relationships

• Nuclear and extended family is important

• Network of neighbors, friends, and community members is included

• Relationship and communication is hierarchical

Traditional Roles of the Man and the Woman

• Father is the identified head of the household– Well being, provider, and honor of

family– Importance of “machismo”

• Women are in role of marianismo– Based on the Virgin Mary– Spiritually superior than men– Endure suffering by men– Homemaker and caretaker of children

Children, Adolescents, and Youth

• Children are taught respecto– Respect authority figures– Respect elderly, parents, relatives, etc.

• Children serve as intermediaries and translators

• Police need to use discretion when having children translate for parents

Verbal and Nonverbal Styles of Latino/Hispanic Americans

Strong value placed on family and group orientation affecting interpersonal communication

Speaking Spanish should not be interpreted as an insult or an attempt at concealment

Extra time may be needed to obtain information from individuals with limited English skills

Respect is shown to authority, but not necessarily trust

Importance is placed with the person involved in any interaction

Some cultural nuances may detract (e.g., eye contact with authority)

Some behaviors may appear to be evasive

Under-Reporting of Crimes

• Past experiences from the home country

• Repressive police and death squads

• Lack of knowledge of legal system and avoidance of police help

Differential Treatment

1. Perceived non-responsiveness of police

2. Lack of familiarity and trust of police

3. Lack of effectiveness of police

4. Stereotypes of police

Racial Profiling of Latino/Hispanic Americans

Hills and Trapp Study of 2000 in San Diego

• People of color are no more likely to carry drugs or contraband in vehicles than whites

• 40 percent stopped and 60 percent searched were Latino/Hispanic and African Americans(and only 28 percent of the driving population)

Increasing Police Services• Police storefront offices

• More bilingual police officers

• More active recruiting efforts

• Spanish police academy

• Spanish training for officers and community policing