Question

What do you want to learn about Hispanic Culture in a Spanish class

Answer 1

When a group of people shares a learned system of knowledge, behaviours, attitudes, beliefs, values, and norms it becomes their culture. (Smith, 1966). Culture indicates how people think, what they may do, and how they live in a broader sense. The concept of cultural diversity results from the unique nature of each culture.

In the US, Hispanics are people of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin. The terms Hispanics and Latino are used interchangeably, although the majority of them prefers the term “Hispanic”. The cultural insight helps one to interact with them effectively and efficiently.

Hispanic/Latino Culture

• Many surveys suggest that by 2011, nearly one out of every six people living in the United States will be of Hispanic/Latino origin.
• They follow a traditional patriarchal structure and it provides the oldest male relative or father with the greatest power. The women in the family are expected to show submission.
• Coming to the cooperation, group activities are evident along with the sharing of responsibility, and there is an emphasis on collective accountability.
• The median age of Hispanics is much younger than that of the U. S. population.
• As their income levels are rising into the middle class they influence the market conditions. The household size also shows a trend of expansion.
• The Hispanic teen numbers are also showing an increasing trend. A number of children are also rising.
• Their life expectancy is also more.
• The environmental factors such as exposure to pesticides, unclean air and polluted water affect the health of the Hispanic population in a negative way. Hence the morbidity rates are higher.
• Custom publications in Latin have a good reach in their community. The Hispanic teens are more responsive to the bilingual messages because it is a replica of their own usage patterns. They have a special attraction to television and radio.
• Spanish has a special place in their lives even though they are good in English.
• They male people in the family are often reluctant to consult physicians for health problems until they are so ill that they must visit an emergency room. They rely upon the traditional healing systems because it is culturally approved and also because of the lower costs involved.
• They often look to one another for opinions. The lifestyles, health beliefs, and health practices of the subgroups such as Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans are also different. They value the collective opinion.
• They have good faith in God as an active force in everyday life. Most of them pray every day and many of them attend a religious service at least once a month.
• The Hispanics have many holidays like La Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week), Día De Los Muertos or Day of the Dead on November 1st and 2nd Three King’s Day or El Dia De Los Tres Magos on January 6th, , The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th, and “Las Posadas” (the nine days prior to Christmas Day) other than rest of the Americans.
• In Hispanic culture, a good meal will be balanced in food and herbs by “hot” and “cold” types. They have beliefs like those who eat foods whose temperatures are wrong for them can get sick. They consider a good appetite is essential for good health. Children’s preferences for food are also respected.