“Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures,” (Cesar Chavez). People with Hispanic Heritage are simply people who trace their origins back to the Latin World, which encompasses nearly 400, 000, 000 people world - wide. Hispanic Heritage should be kept alive, since it allows us to experience a diverse, expansive culture with many different values, including family importance, since they are loyal and respect their elders, and cooperation, since they work together and maintain a strong work ethic. Family, the people who raise you, support you, and take care of you. Hispanic Heritage places great importance on family, since they are loyal and respect their elders. By doing so, people with Hispanic …show more content…
Heritage have maintained the value of family importance and are willing to spread it.
First of all, loyalty plays a crucial role in the life of people with Hispanic Heritage. It is the difference between living with the family until 20 and exile from the house and they embrace it. In the PDF File, Hispanic Culture Values by Howard Erickson, it states, “Family ties and loyalties are far more important to Hispanics than Anglos,” (Paragraph 5). This proves that, loyalty plays a crucial role in the development of family importance and people of Hispanic Heritage have embraced it. Furthermore, loyalty to their family improves the bonds between them and in the future, it makes their family more likely to support them in emotional and financial problems. Subsequently, respect to their elders is important in the life of people with Hispanic Heritage. Family Members who show respect to elders are more likely to stay in the family and receive respect from others. In the PDF File, Hispanic Culture Values by Howard Erickson, it states, “Hispanic adults work hard to send money to their parents and find the idea of assisted living or retirement homes to be abhorrent,” (Paragraph 5). This proves that, respect to their elders is …show more content…
important to people of Hispanic Heritage and they will support their parents, regardless of the situation. Furthermore, respect to their elders, increase their dignity among the eyes of the family and it also makes their family more likely to support them in emotional and financial problems. In summary, the value of family importance is crucial to people of Hispanic Heritage, since they are loyal and respect their elders, regardless of the situation, because they know that by doing so, later in their life, their family will come forward to support them. Cooperation is simply defined as working together to complete a task.
People of Hispanic Heritage expand on this definition, since they work together and maintain a strong work ethic. By doing so, people with Hispanic Heritage are able to complete any task at hand, regardless of the difficulty. To begin with, the ability to work together is already an important value in daily life, but to people of Hispanic Heritage working together means so much more. It is connection to their family and friends, which allows them to complete any task. In the PDF File, Hispanic Culture Values by Howard Erickson, it states, “They tend to be more event - driven [and] operate on a tight schedule,” (Paragraph 16). This proves that, people of Hispanic Heritage need to work together to complete their work, since they have to operate on a tight schedule to complete a large number of events. Furthermore, they are able to complete any number of tasks, regardless of the situation, since they work together. Next, a strong work ethic is what gains honor for people of Hispanic Heritage. They gain honor by working long, difficult hours, without a break, to earn money for their family and support their elders. In the PDF File, Hispanic Culture Values by Howard Erickson, it states, “Working long, hard hours is a mark of honor [and] the mark of a real man,” (Paragraph 24). This proves that, people of Hispanic Heritage honor strong work ethic and it shows the development of a child into a man. Furthermore,
with increased work ethic, they are able to complete any task at any difficulty, regardless of the situation. In summary, the value of cooperation is crucial to people of Hispanic Heritage, since they work together and maintain a strong work ethic, regardless of the difficulty, because they know that by doing so they will be able to complete any task and reach any goal. In conclusion, Hispanic Heritage should be kept alive, since it allows us to experience a diverse, expansive culture with many different values, including family importance and cooperation. Hispanic Heritage and its values have had a major impact on the development of U.S. ever since the start of immigration. In the end, Hispanic Heritage is crucial to expansion of our nation, since it provides our nation with a base, which supports the process. So, the next time you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Spanish Class, instead of just enjoying the festivities it provides, remember the importance of Hispanic Heritage and work hard to keep it alive.
“Honoring our heritage. Building our culture.” What can you picture in your head while reading this? Do feel honored? Maybe special? Probably phenomenal? Well, this year's Hispanic Heritage month’s theme has brought to us a meaningful, and inspiring perspective on how Latinos are becoming more honored. Not only honored by their country, and other Spanish countries, but also being honored by the United States. Hispanics have impacted our nation through their solid responsibility to family, confidence, and diligent work. They have put in the effort and time to represent their Latino/a background. They have improved and formed our national character by looking back at what their ancestors would do. These hispanics deserve the right to be honored
It is in the solving of social problems in which Hispanics can be of tremendous service to the country. One of the greatest attributes of hispanics is the willingness to mix, and by doing so, have created cultural forms, new human relationships, and life styles. Because this, Hispanics can help look for solutions to barriers, prejudices, and stereotypes that have divided us as a
Family is the most important social unit of Hispanic life. It is a close-knit entity that includes immediate and extended family members. Typically, the father is the head of the family and the mother rules the house (Clutter, n.d.). Vacations are usually taken to relatives’ houses to promote togetherness in celebration of birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, and communions. In times of need, the family is the first line of aid, and Hispanics typically live with their parents until marriage. While this deviates from American ideals for individuals aged 18-35, it actually provides young adults the opportunity for future success because so much money is saved from greatly reduced housing costs (Williams, 2009).
On the other hand, Americans are proud of their way of life and they always have the assumption that everyone shares their materialistic values. Language is an important value for the nationalistic identity of a nation. Hispanic culture is the way of life of people from Latin America and Spain, and their main identifying factor is the fact that they speak Spanish as their main language. Therefore, Hispanics are not necessarily Spaniards but other groups like Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans who speak Spanish are also part of this group (Shaw and Dennison 207). American culture, on the other hand, is mainly comprised of the people who speak English as their main dialect.
Since before I was born, my Hispanic heritage played a huge role in who I am and what I have achieved. My great-grandfather immigrated to this country with the desire to provide his family with a better future than his own. My grandpa grew up in Texas on the boarder of Mexico and traveled to Blue Island, Illinois as migrant crop worker. This desire passed down by my grandparents and my great-grandparents has played a tremendous role in propelling me to where I am today. Each generation sought to make the the lives of their children better than their own. My grandma received the opportunity to live in the country of opportunity from her father, and my grandpa paid for my mom to get an education. My mother pushed me to do my best in school and
Hispanic Americans are one of the biggest culture groups in California. Hispanic Americans have very strong ties when it comes to their culture background and food. Food represents a strong symbol for Hispanic Americans, bringing the family together by providing a plate of rice and tacos with rich protein. Hispanic culture also comes with religious background that calls for time with family and praying a lot to Jesus. In Florida, the Hispanic culture is also major. Especially with the Cuban Americans living in south beach, Miami over more than 75 years. Hispanic American culture has changed Florida in significant ways. What is more, Hispanics have a very beautiful and inspiring way of representing their culture. In Florida, they celebrate national Hispanic heritage month through September 15 to October 15, and this event happens every year. The Hispanics who celebrate this culture, start it by kicking it off with music, dancing and a lot of delicious food from a variety of Hispanic countries. Also, one of the biggest well-known festivals is celebrated during national Hispanic heritage month that goes well throughout Miami and through specific streets like Calle Ocho and three
As a traditional, collectivistic cultural group, the Latino population is believed to adhere deeply to the value of familismo. (Arditti, 2006; Calzada, 2014). Familism is an emphasis on the importance of the family unit over values of autonomy and individualism”. (Santistaben, 2012). Family is considered to be the top priority in the Latino culture. Comparatively, at times, this isn’t true of our busy, work devoted western culture. In western culture we think of our family in a nuclear sense made up of a: mom, dad, and siblings. Conversely, Hispanic culture focuses on the whole extended family including aunts, uncles, grandparent, and cousins. Their culture believes having close connections with the entire extended family benefits the development of their children. The entire family helps the child by giving them differing levels of social and emotional support. (American Home Resolutions,
We tend to be like those around us that have the same values and beliefs. So we also tend to do the same things and are raised the same way. Marrying into an Anglo family, this family does not have the close family relations that my Mexican family has. Some Anglo families may, although not to the extent of Mexican households. If you have ever seen My Big Greek Fat Wedding, well this is how Mexican families tend to live their lives, always in each other’s business. I don’t see much of this in my husband’s family and for me, it was a huge adjustment. There almost seems to be a distance and lives are not shared. Where Mexican women think family is most important, Anglo women think family is important, but so is the status. Anglo women seek it all; they want family and career; although not an impossible task, it can take away from family time. “Since prestige, power, and self-esteem are not derived from achieved status to as great an extent among Mexicans, employment is more crucial to psychological well-being for Anglo women than form Mexican” (Ross et al. 1983). Inequality among races shows that Mexicans take immense pride in the household chores while Anglos take great pride in status. By tradition, Mexican women are praised and revered for their roles as homemakers. This view is a status of prestige that is very respected in the Hispanic community. “Ministering mothers are respected revered and recognized important figures despite their alleged low status in the family” (Mirande, 1977:752). On the other hand, “Anglo women are not in traditional homes where the wife receives prestige for her role in family, yet they are not in nontraditional homes where the husband and wife share the work (both outside and inside the home) equally” (Ross et al. 1983). As stated earlier Mexican women in the roles of homemakers in their home are viewed as pillars of strength and respect in their homes and
Latin American society places a great deal of importance on the family as a support network; it is not uncommon for several generations to reside in the same house. This emphasis is called familismo, and the mother in the family is usually the most important figure. She “is seen as the primary nurturer and caregiver in the family…[and] plays a critical role in preservation of the family as a unit, as well as in...
Crouch, Ned. Mexicans & Americans : Cracking The Cultural Code. NB Publishing, Inc., 2004. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 21 Nov. 2011.
I come from a Mexican family. This has shown me the many similarities, as well as differences in a Mexican family compared to an American family. From a young age we are taught that the value of family is the most important thing in the world. Most Americans encourage their children to move out after graduation from either high school or college, Mexicans believe that their children should live with them until they are married or around the ages of 25-30 years old. The most important family member in the Mexican family are the elderly. They are given special treatment and attention. For example our beliefs is that the elders shouldn't go to retirement homes. They are welcome in the family and are cared for until there last days. Grandchildren are taught to be respectful and to aways Listen to the elders, especially if they're your grandparents.
Kanellos, Nicolás, Felix M- Padilla, and Claudio Esteva Fabregat, eds. Handbook of Hispanic Cultures in the United States: Sociology. Houston: Arte Publico Press, 1994. Print.
Understanding where one’s natural impulses come from may be difficult to understand without looking at past generations and family history. Knowing that generations before us helped shape our development is important to note. Generational trends can help explain the importance of said values. Through analysis of my cultural genogram I found that many of my core values came from my Mexican culture, despite having had great exposure to values established by the dominant culture here in the United States. I found that my family over many generations regarded familismo, respeto, religion, and work ethic as highly important values. It is important to deeply analyze where these values came from, how they may be oppressed, and how
Hispanics are becoming a large part of the economy in the America and its community. The Hispanic culture is as unique and special as any other, and should be treated with the correct hospitality as any one else. From pop music to food to political campaigns and corporate marketing the Hispanic community has made very strong present in the United States. I think as the years goes by we see that the Spanish community will become the majority, instead of the minority. I’m really drawn to the Hispanic ethic group. I admire there traditions and how they are very family oriented. The overall Spanish culture has brought a lot of traditions and culture to add the American diversity.
To help me understand and analyze a different culture, I watched the film Selena. The film tells the life story of the famous singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. Not only does it just tell personal stories from her life, it also gives insight to the Mexican-American culture. Her whole life she lived in the United States, specifically in Texas, but was Hispanic and because of that both her and her family faced more struggles than white singers on the climb to her success. Even though the film is a story about a specific person, it brought understanding into the culture in which she lived. Keeping in mind that these ideas that I drew about the Mexican-American culture is very broad and do not apply to every single person in the culture, there were very obvious differences in their culture and the one that I belong. Mexican-American culture identifies with their family rather than individualized or spiritual identities and the culture has gone through significant changes because of discrimination and the changing demographics of the United States.