La Cultura Latina

1. La Cultura Latina por Cristina Zimmerman Public Schools of Crete

2. La Cultura Latina • The Latino Family and Latino Pride • The Community and Social Etiquette • Religion and Latino Celebrations • Education in Mexico

3. Family Roles and Latino Pride • Terminology • Comparison of Cultures • The Latino Family • Characteristics of Latinos • Assimilation into US culture • Extension activity

4. Terminology • Race: How is it defined? • By color? Are we black or white? Or Brown? • When we use the term “Hispanic,” what do we mean? Race? Ethnicity? Color of a person’s skin? • What do you think???

5. What does “race” mean? • From Collins English Dictionary: a group of people of common ancestry, distinguished from others by physical characteristics, such as hair type, color of eyes and skin, stature, etc. Principal races are Caucasoid, Mongoloid, and Negroid

6. …Caucasoid, Mongoloid, and Negroid??? Huh?

7. Defining “Race” • The problem with the definition of race is it is too difficult to confine AND define. Consider the Census definition:

8. WhitePeople having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa • Black or African AmericanPeople having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa • American Indian and Alaska NativePeople having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment. • AsianPeople having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent. • Native Hawaiian and other Pacific IslanderPeople having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

9. Where do Hispanics or Latinos fit in?

10. What about ethnicity? • Ethnicity is displayed in values, attitudes, lifestyles, customs and rituals • Is this a better definition? • Is it the same as nationality? • What is your ethnicity? American? • Does this definition now incorporate CULTURAL differences, rather than biological? • Is it more inclusive, or exclusive?

11. Ethnicity is… • A better definition, although there are flaws as well. • Could be debated forever! • The Census identifies those from Mexico, Spain, Latin and South America as “Hispanic”. They use ethnicity, rather than race to classify them. • So, what the heck does HISPANIC mean?

12. Ethnic Names • Which is more PC: Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, or Hispano? • The answer…it depends on whom you ask!

13. Ethnic Names • Hispanic:wide usage in the United States in the 1970s, Hispanic was the term for Puerto Rican émigrés in New York, Cuban refugees in South Florida, Mexican migrants in Los Angeles and the descendants of Spanish settlers in northern New Mexico.

14. Ethnic names, cont. • Latino: refers to the same group of people, but has a more Spanish feel and is preferred by most Hispanics • Chicano: a term specifically for Mexicans; more slang, but shows great pride

15. Ethnic names, cont. • Hispano: would be the perfect solution for the ethnic name debate because it encompasses all Spanish-speaking groups and “sounds Spanish”. No one seems to like it!

16. Are we done yet? • Now, do you understand the difference? • I use them all. I prefer Hispanic as a noun and Latino as an adjective, but I use them all.

17. The Latino Family US Family 1940 US Family 2003 Compare and contrast family roles of a family from 1940 to one in 2003

18. The Latino Family • El Padre: strong figure; has the final say; provider of family; children taught that men are more important than women; machismo (manhood, honor, and dignity)

19. The Latino Family, cont. • La madre: nurturers; keep the home together; most stay at home; somewhat submissive, but roles are changing

20. The Latino Family, cont. • Los ninos: gender, then age important in determining family power; boys take over when father leaves; girls clean and cook at young age; boys have more independence than girls

21. The Latino Family • Latino parents are very strict. Children do not usually leave the house unaccompanied, unless they are over the age of 18. • Girls are not allowed to date until they are at least 15, and even then they are sometimes chaperoned by parents. • A boy cannot date a girl until he has met her parents. • Children do not move out until they are married.

22. The Latino Family, cont. • Extended Family: provide support, guidance; family more important than anything; may all live in the same house or share land

23. Characteristics of Latinos • All Latinos do not share the same physical characteristics. Some are black, others Indian, and even others European. • They do, however, share similar values, attitudes, and personality traits.

24. Characteristics, cont. • Latinos are respectful, docile, and restrain from showing anger. They prefer to work cooperatively, rather than competitively. • Latinos have a relaxed concept of time. • Typically, they are not short-term goal setters.

25. Characteristics, cont. • Latinos find greater importance in relationships and strong families, rather than money and material goods. • All faith and trust is placed in God. He will be a constant source of guidance and strength. La Virgen de Guadalupe is also important to Latinos.

26. The Latino Family, cont. • Latinos take pride in a strong family and stable home. • Parents take pride in ensuring their children are educated, but worry more about instilling good morals and religion in their lives.

27. The Latino Family, cont. • Most Latinos are Roman Catholics, although there is a growing number converting to Protestant religions. • Because of their deep faith and religious convictions, divorce and premarital sex is looked down upon. • However, both are becoming more prevalent.

28. Assimilation to US Culture • Assimilation is sometimes delayed due to the proximity of their home country. Latinos frequent their homeland to visit family and remember their culture. • Some say lack of assimilation is due to discrimination and a longing to retain their own culture.

29. Assimilation, cont. • In Latino countries, cars are not important. However, once they are in the US it is more affordable to buy a nice car, than a home. • It becomes a source of pride for Latinos, thus the many low riders and “souped-up” cars.

30. Assimilation, cont. • Many family roles and values are changing for Latinos. • Many second and third generation Latinos are very similar to other American ethnic groups. • Mothers are working, and fathers help with the housework.

31. Assimilation Skit You and a partner are to role play a situation between a Latino parent and their child. The family is new to the US, and the child would like to go out with friends. With what you have learned today, play out this situation with as much seriousness and honesty as possible. Some situations may or may not be performed, but we will discuss topics that come up.

32. Communities and Social Etiquette in Latin America

33. The Community • Many cities and towns in Latin America share the same architecture, city lay-out, forms of transportation, etc. • Much of these characteristics are founded in European, specifically Spanish, culture.

34. Centros/Plazas • In all established towns, the center of town has what is called un centro or una plaza. • The plaza contains trees, benches, and small vendors. • Surrounding the plaza, one can find restaurants, small shops, banks, pharmacy, etc.

35. Centros, cont. • Usually a safe part of town (during the day) • Most are a block long and wide, although some are larger. • Many cities will have more than one plaza/park.

37. Business • Very few large retail chains exist in Latin America. Most are family and locally owned. • Chains exist in the very large cities where private transportation is common and space is available for parking. • Examples of chains: Benavides Farmacia, WalMart, Gigante, Comercial Mexicana, Sears, JC Penney

39. Businesses, cont. • Most offices are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but can stay open until 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday. • Most leave for lunch around 2:00 PM and take anywhere from one to two hours.

40. Businesses, cont. • Supermarkets are open seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM. • Street front stores, which are more prevalent than strip malls, are open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. • Such stores are similar to ones you see in NYC; right next to each other with pull down garage doors as entrances.

41. Businesses, cont. • Many people shop for groceries in mercados, open air markets where fresh fruit and vegetables are available for cheap. • One can also find large cuts of meat, rice, beans, and tortillas at the mercado.

43. Tianguis • Another popular place to shop are los tianguis (similar to outdoor swap meets) where prices can be negotiated. • Not available everyday of the week, but one can find almost anything there: nail polish, radios, clothing, pottery, etc.

45. Public Transportation • Because car financing is not readily available, most own very old cars that were purchased with cash. • Therefore, public transportation is very important. • Cabs and buses are readily available, and relatively inexpensive. • Drawback: often dirty, sometimes animals allowed on buses.

47. Hospitals • There are private and public hospitals, and hospitals supported by Seguro Social.. • Public hospitals are cheaper, if not free, but care is not as adequate. Facilities are dirtier and staff is not as qualified. • Waiting period is extensive.

48. Hospitals • Private hospitals are usually cleaner, and care is much better. • These hospitals are rather expensive, and exclude much of the population. • Seguro Social hospitals are covered by the government’s health care system. These hospitals are not always available in rural areas.

49. Pharmacies • Most border towns are full of pharmacies. This is because pharmacists can prescribe medication to anyone, with the exception of narcotics. Many US citizens flock to Mexico because prices are cheaper and there is no need for a prescription. • Very few pharmacy chains exist in Latin America.