The Similarities Between Mexican American And Chicano Cultures

When one identifies culture we as sociologist include many characteristics such as: beliefs, behaviors, objects, language, values, etc. It is through our culture that we can identify ourselves and through this we conform into specific areas in our society. The term culture can be used interchangeably, for example; if one says “you are well cultured” we identify this as well rounded and looked at with a higher prestige. When we think of culture and specific ethnicities and their cultures we begin to categorize them based off a rank “well cultured to having no culture.” Culture is set on the boundaries of learned behaviors and beliefs that then will allow us to classify them amongst different societies. A few of the cultures I will be discussing

are: Chicano, Black, and Asian minority families.
As stated in Introduction to Sociology (Seagul Tenth Edition), “the sociological study of culture and society began with Emile Durkheim in the nineteenth century.” Where the early works of sociologist then reflected on the values of highly educated Europeans and saw “primitive” cultures as inferior. This is something we still see today as it continues to fall under the spectrum of minority groups. How do we identify and distinguish between these different family cultures; Chicano, Black, and Asian. We will begin by establishing their heritage background which will include their demographic, values, norms, and where they stand in society today.
Many scholars will define Chicano differently whether you are from California, Arizona, etc.

and the connotation they use will not always be the same. The terms Mexican American and Chicano refers to the decedents of Mexicans who were imported to the United States (1930’s – 1940’s) as they were used as cheap free labor. “The term then was appropriated by Mexican-American activist who took part in the Brown Power movement of the 60’s and 70’s in the US southwest as they united in their quest for basic equities for Mexican Americans” (Chicano/Latino Movements History and Geography, n.d.). Descendants from Mexico, majority of Chicanos often speak the native language Spanish and English. It is a fusion of their ancestry history and where they live today (America). As I spoke to six families of Mexican American descend, I asked what they considered to be Chicano and furthered their answers to enriching culture facts. Majority of the family members of greater age (mother’s, father’s, grandmother’s, etc.) identified simply as Mexican, whereas their children, the millennials; identified as Chicano’s. When speaking to these family members I was able to see a great correlation of their lifestyles, very warm and welcoming, both parents worked fulltime jobs, and some were even undocumented. The ripple effect I learned from interviewing these Chicano families was the correlation between low socioeconomic backgrounds and a negative trendline in providing “less than optimal parenting through family stress” (Emmen, R. A. G., Malda, M., Mesman, J., van IJzendoorn, M. H., Prevoo, M. J. L., & Yeniad, N.

(2013).
We see this oftentimes in minority families because as previously mentioned, some of these families are undocumented and of all the families I spoke to; the head of household members had no higher education than middle school. As a result, these families are left with day in and day out working parents and their kids are left to manage their home, siblings, school, and all responsibilities on their own. As we learned early this week about rugged individualism these children are living a small aspect of this theory. I for one as the eldest in my family had to learn the rules of life at an early age as my childhood dwindled and my father’s values were encrypted “work hard and be someone in this world.” But what it really meant was this was all trial and error, as kids with the proper support system growing up we had to learn the ins and outs of life.
The culture of Chicano families radiates as hardworking household members and children who lose the convenience of parent figures amongst their side due to pressing financial matters (Temple‐Trujillo, 1974). It becomes a custom for the parents to provide for their kids as they encourage their offspring to further their education and become someone in this world. It is also a natural custom (norm) for their children to take care of their parents in the future. These behavior customs are predominant in the Chicano society.
“Sociologists have recently explored the process of race socialization, which refers to the specific verbal and nonverbal messages that older generations transmit to younger generations regarding the meaning and significance of race, racial stratification, and personal identity” (Lesane-Brown, 2006). In regard to Black family culture, otherwise known as African American culture; consists of an image that is portrayed through labels and brands such as music and fashion. When I think of African American culture, the first thing that comes to mind is “soul food.” Like Chicano families, African Americans have a strong culture connection in their home goods. “Soul food”