Premium Essay

Mexican American Culture Research Paper

Submitted By
Words 1164
Pages 5
A culture is created by a group of people who share the same beliefs and values. Whether it is a new group of people or an existing group, a culture is shaped by people uniting and sticking together toward a common objective. Some examples of cultures are Asian, African, Italian, Middle Eastern, and Hawaiian cultures each with its own customs, traditions, and practices that are shaped by historical and social factors. In shaping a culture, history plays a huge role in the traditions and heritage that are passed down for generations. Giving thought to Mexican American culture Zoot Suits, farm workers, and many other movements have helped shape what we know as Mexican American culture today. To fully understand the Mexican-American culture, we …show more content…
During the Great Depression, Chavez's family lost their home. Forcing the family to move to Northern California in search of a better life. During their stay in California, Chavez's parents became migrant farm workers. With the low wages farmworkers received at that time, Chavez decided to drop out of school to help support his family. Making him a farmworker employee at the age of 14. Cesar endured firsthand all the struggles Mexican Americans were experiencing in the field. Cesar got to witness the farming industry get rich while they treated their employees poorly. Cesar understood the underlying racism that was occurring. The contradiction of wanting to employ Mexicans but treating them with inhuman conditions. For this, Chavez marched to Sacramento to gain higher wages, safer working conditions, and end child labor. Cesar Chavez became an important symbol to the Mexican-American community. It was the beginning of a fight for equality amongst natural-born citizens of America of Mexican descent. Like everything, there are more than just the obvious factors to gain from the march to Sacramento. There were unseen wins like better housing, better education, better healthcare, all things that come with better

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans, a New Beginning in the United States

...Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans, A new beginning in the United States North America is known to have various groups of different ethnic backgrounds and cultures. Most people in the United States if not them have ancestors who moved to the U.S for a better way of living or to escape challenges that arrived in their respected countries. According, to www.education.byu.edu Individuals of the Latin American origin contains over 14% of the population of the United States. The two groups that will be discussed in this paper will consist of American Mexicans the largest of the Hispanic groups and Puerto Ricans who are the second largest group of Hispanics in the United States. The Mexican American and Puerto Rican groups are the fastest growing group in such states as Utah, New York, Illinois, Texas, California, Arizona and Colorado. The Hispanic population continues to rise in the United States as more opportunities are given to them and this paper will introduce different challenges that these two Latino groups experienced in the United States. This paper will identify two of the largest growing Hispanic groups which consist of Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans. In this research paper I will recognize who these two groups are, where they originated, why these two groups migrated to the United States, and also include the challenges that they face pertaining to work, health, education, family, and religion. Originated and Migration Mexican Americans are identified...

Words: 1582 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Child Rearing Practices

...Child Rearing Practices BY Ken Robertson This paper is going to compare the practices of childrearing among two cultural groups Cuban Americans and Latin Americans. The childrearing practices of Americans have been extensively documented. The picture which comes to light in this paper is that of a permissive and affectionate parent. Who relies more on psychological techniques of discipline that, on direct methods such as corporal punishment. There are several comparisons of childrearing practices of American parents and those of parents from other cultural groups. Childrearing patterns of Hispanic and Latin American groups haven’t been extensively studied. The few studies that do exist generally portray the Hispanic family as one where warmth and affection are readily dispensed to the child, obedience is emphasized at the expense of self-reliance, and physical punishment is overtly threatened but inconsistently used. And perhaps because they constitute conveniently accessible populations, most existing cross-cultural childrearing studies have Compared Mexican-Americans and Mexicans. The absence of studies involving other Hispanic American groups make it difficult to estimate the extent to which the obtained results are descriptive of Hispanics in general or Mexicans and Mexican-Americans in particular. Second, most cross-cultural research has focused on the mother, child, and dad. Finally, there have been few efforts to systematize the use of instruments...

Words: 1015 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Intercultural Communication

...significance and neighbors the United States of America. The United States of America is traditional and within the country, many cultures exist. The work ethic and language, within intercultural communication in Mexico and the United States of America, are similar. The population of the United States exceeds 313 million people and this statistic results in America as the third largest country in the world. The diverse population of the United States is 64 percent Caucasian, 16 percent Hispanic, 13 percent Black, five percent Asian and Pacific Islander, and one percent Native American. One could state that the United States of America consists of a plethora of cultures. The population of Mexico is 113.7 million people and increasing 1.10 percent annually (Huntington, 2005). Mexico’s population is an estimated 60 percent mixture of with indigenous heritage and Spanish. The multiple indigenous groups are approximately 30 percent, and the European ancestry is approximately nine percent. The largest city in Mexico is Mexico City and New York is the largest city in the United States of America. The two cities are over 17 million, another similarity between the two countries (Rosenberg, 2013). The United States of America and Mexico differ in values, patterns in language, beliefs, and values. The average American generally speaks English and the average Mexican generally speaks Spanish. Throughout areas in both countries, various individuals speak both English and Spanish. The knowledge...

Words: 1664 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Fdt4 Task 2

...Festival FDT4 Task 2 D. Kentucky Subcultures It takes a great deal of patience and understanding to be a teacher in a culturally mixed environment. The educational environment that I plan to teach in consists of cultures made up of Asians and Hispanics. I wish to better understand these two cultures so that I can understand the differences and provide a teaching environment that will be valuable in my classroom. In order to accomplish this, I have researched the foods, traditions and celebrations of two Kentucky subcultures, which are Asians and Hispanics. In the state of Kentucky, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2011, Hispanics make up 138,563 of the total population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2011, Asians make up 52,201 of the total population. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 a) E. Hispanic Culture - Foods Hispanics are well known for starting and overseeing authentic Mexican restaurants. The love of Mexican foods by the majority of Americans has kept the Hispanics in business for many years. Corn is the main base in foods of most Mexicans. Bread is not a normal staple of a typical Mexican meal, but instead of eating bread, most meals consist of a tortilla. The tortilla is thin, flat bread usually made from corn meal and cooked on a griddle. Many Mexican people also eat rice and beans. These beans, also known as frijoles, are usually boiled, mashed, and then fried. Tamales which are made from corn meal steamed in corn...

Words: 3138 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Hispanic American Diversity

...Hispanic American Diversity NAME CLASS DATE TEACHER Hispanic American Diversity When we look at people's it's interesting to see that they are different in some ways yet alike in other ways. The people may be from different parts of the world, however, they share the same language, religious beliefs and even skin color. Some people are very protective of their cultures and become offended if you mistake their culture for a similar culture. Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans and Latinos are four groups that fit into this category. This research paper will give us an in-depth look at each group identifying their similarities and their differences. Mexico is a Latin country with a complex culture that spans different times in history. The Mexicans are proud of their country, culture and lifestyle and try to preserve it as much as possible even when they are living anywhere other than Mexico. Out of the 26.4 million Hispanics that live in America, 64% of them are Mexican Americans (Thinkquest.org). The Mexican American culture is a mixture of the Mexican culture and the American culture and often causes them to stand out. The primary influence comes from Spain while the secondary influence comes from America. Mexican Americans have strong ties to their families loving each other and taking care of each other. Honor within the family connects all the members together and loyalty without question is expected. They work hard, strive to live in...

Words: 1464 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Learning Strategies Rely Heavily on Employee Involvement

............................................................... 7 References ................................................................................................................................ 10 Page | 1 Introduction Globalisation has forced markets to be in constant development and with that companies are also becoming more knowledge-based than ever before. Therefore, it is of great importance for any company who wants to be a part of a leading market to adapt and to keep pace with the rapid changes of the environment they operate in (Gómez, 2004, pp.1). Learning organisations and continuous development is essential for a company to stay in a competitive position with its rivals. Therefore, I found it interesting to research closer into topic number 2; “Learning strategies rely heavily on...

Words: 3071 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Linguistics and the Human Sciences

...United States. This number comprises 12.5% of the overall population rendering the Latino community the largest minority in the United States. The Mexican community is not only the largest Hispanic group but also the fastest growing: from 1990 to 2000, the Mexican population grew 52.9% increasing from 13.5 million to 20.6 million (U.S. Department of Commerce News, 2001). The influx of Mexican immigrants coupled with the expansion of their community within the United States has created an unparalleled situation of language contact. Language is synonymous with identity (cf. Granger, 2004, and works cited within). To the extent that this is true, Spanish is synonymous with being Mexican and by extension, Chicano. With the advent of amnesty programs such as Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which naturalized millions of Mexican migrants, what was once a temporal migratory population has become increasingly permanent (Durand et al., 1999). In an effort to conserve Mexican traditions and identity, the struggle to preserve the mother tongue while at the same time acculturate to mainstream Americana has resulted in a variant of Spanglish that has received little attention. This paper will examine the variant of Spanglish seen in the greater Los Angeles area and liken it to the bi-national identity under which these Mexican Americans thrive. Keywords: spanglish, latino, immigration, ethnic minority, language contact, identity Affiliations Jason Rothman, The University of Iowa...

Words: 9495 - Pages: 38

Premium Essay

Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl

...her parents decided that she could only speak, read, and write English. Barrientos made it a point to fit in with Americans. She hated didn’t like being called Mexican and hated what it seemed to mean to her. She stated, “To me, speaking Spanish translated into being poor. It meant waiting tables and cleaning hotel rooms.” (Barrientos) Barrientos saw it as a compliment not be considered Mexican. Her father wanted to show her that Mexican culture is beautiful and she should be proud of her heritage. Barrientos father sent her to Mexico for the summer in hopes that she would learn to be proud of being called Mexican. Surprisingly, her pride emerged and she wanted to learn to speak Spanish. Over the next couple of decades, the worlds’ view toward different cultures changed. It was okay to be of a different race. No one was associating Mexicans with just being waiters or housekeepers. Barrientos started taking classes, listening to tapes, and even hired a tutor. She even asked her parents to only speak Spanish to her in an effort to learn the language. Barrientos learned to speak Spanish, but not enough to feel genuine. Barrientos call herself “Spanish Challenged and pura Latina.” (Barrientos) The purpose of the essay “Se Habla Espanol” by Tanya Barrentos was to how she felt and struggled with being pure Latina and not being able to speak Spanish fluently. research...

Words: 312 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Ellis Island Rhetorical Analysis

...Ellis Island was the first immigration quarantaine station to operate in the United States. Being located on the atlantic ocean coast of the United States, Ellis Island was a common and frequent destination for Europeans. In Ellis Island the immigrant demographic ranged from western,eastern, southern, and northern European. Typically, the immigrant who was white, able bodied, and had at least a middle socio-economic class was favored to become American citizen candidates. In Galusca’s scholarly research paper, she explains this by, “Health, economic status, and race were central to anti-immigration discourses that labeled immigration as either “poor” or “good,” with the evident implication that immigrants of poor health, poor economic status,...

Words: 1244 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Heritage Assessment

...personal. “The immutable dimensions of diversity; ethnicity, race, gender, and sexual orientation, are socially determined to be important and their role in everyday interactions is reinforced through culture” (Dreachslin, Gilbert, & Malone, 2012, p. 324). For these and many other reasons, the consideration of each patient in a holistic manner and separate from the nurse’s own belief and cultural system will greatly enhance the patient’s ability to form a relationship with the nurse and enhance healthcare delivery. This paper will attempt to compare the health traditions between Mexican, Chinese and American cultures in relation to health maintenance, health protection and health restoration. Although there are many variations within culture, awareness of the historical and social issues are essential for the nurse to be sensitive. In the Mexican culture it is important to recognize that the female generally takes the lead role in health care decisions (Eddenberger, Grassley, & Restrepo, 2006). The assessment of cultural perspective for this group of people would include the consideration of spiritual beliefs and folk remedies that may have been preventatively employed. The research completed by Eddenberger, Grassley and Restrepo established that the majority of Mexican-Americans are catholic and hold a very strong belief that God is in control of everything including their own will. Those that hold this...

Words: 1040 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Labor and Legality Notes

...present a cogent, all-argued paper. Depth, originality and critical thinking in your arguments will be important part of grading. You should use concepts we have been discussing in class (structural violence, colonialism, etc.) to guide your argument. However, the concept of the paper is open-ended. Please develop your thoughts based on the book Labor and Legality. 1. A quality paper will have a strong analysis that draws from concepts learned from the book and also from class. Your arguments should be supported by proper evidence from the book. In other words, your thoughts must be fully engaged with the reading. Thus, proper citations, a clear structure, and also format requirements listed below would be important. 1. Format requirement. 1) Your review should be 3-5 pages (with a separate references cited page), which is a small adjustment from the syllabus. You will still need to use 1-inch margins, double-spaced, 12-point font. 2) Please review the section of the syllabus labeled “2” under “expectations” for information on academic integrity. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Use in-text citations per the Chicago Style Manual when directly quoting or paraphrasing an author and make sure to include a “works cited” section. If there is any other citation style you are familiar with, you can use that style. Please refer this link, if you want to learn about Chicago Style Manual :https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/01/ 1. Papers should be turned in on Compass2g...

Words: 1676 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Health Promotion Among Hispanics

...University Family Centered Health Promotion NRS-429V Jennifer Wood April 22, 2015 Health Promotion Among Hispanics Introduction Hispanic or Latino is a term used to describe a group composed of smaller ethnicities. In the United States, Hispanics make 17% ("Hispanic Heritage Month," 2014, para. 3) of the population with Mexicans (64%) being the largest, followed by Puerto Ricans (9.4), Salvadorians (3.8%), Cubans (3.7%), Dominicans (3.1%), Guatemalans (2.3%), and other Hispanic origins (13.7) (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015, table 1). Poverty rates (The Kaiser Family Foundation, 2013, table 1) for Hispanics (24%) are second only to Blacks (27%) but considering that Hispanics make up 17% of the population in the United States, this amount is alarming. Not only are poverty rates bad, but education is worse. According to the Pew Research Center ("Access, Information and Knowledge," 2008, table 22) studies, Hispanics have a low college graduation rate at only 13.9 percent in contrast with a second minority group, Asians, at 50 percent. So why is the Hispanic community seeing negative outcomes in contrast with other minorities? This paper will go over current health status of this minority as well as barriers that influence health, what being ‘healthy’ means, and how race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and education influence health. Current Health Status Obesity and diabetes have been alarming problems in the United States and now Hispanics lead in both...

Words: 1136 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Immigration

...of millions of people. Its society has many different cultures and religions. These blends of diversity make up America. The United State’s way of life is based on how people’s ancestors grew up and by the different traditions passed down from generation to generation. America is unique from most other countries in that she was founded by immigrants from numerous other countries. From Plymouth Rock in the seventeenth century to Ellis Island in the twentieth, people from every where came to America some were fleeing religious persecution and political chaos. Most of them came for economic reasons and were part of extensive migratory systems that responded to changing demands in labor markets; others, came here by choice and all eventually were integrated into the “American society” to become a homogenous people. These immigrants had a vision, work ethic, values, fortitude, imagination, and pioneering spirit which enabled her to become the greatest nation on earth. While it took longer for some than others, they and their descendents ultimately became "One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all." Many, but not all, modern immigrants to the United States are not much different. However, unlike the distant past, immigration now consists of two components: legal and illegal. This research paper will not even attempt to cover the many contributions that legal immigrants are currently making to this country. This paper will, however, explore various aspects and direct consequences...

Words: 4765 - Pages: 20

Free Essay

Race and Your Community

...community and individual race is negative, the relations in my community show positive construction influences on race and the our community. “This marks the third consecutive year for Austin to appear among the three most popular places in the U.S. for Hispanics to live and work”. (http://www.austintexas.org/media/press_releases/press_release?id=16, para 1). I will analyze whether members within my community bear a resemblance to my characteristics and in the ways we look different and the same. As well as how the leaders within my community handle people who are of Hispanic culture and if they are treated differently. Also if members of my community treat individuals who are of my culture any differently than the rest of the community. Also analyze texts and work manuals to check for information by or about individuals of Hispanic culture. Also if local media embody people like me, and if so, in the ways which they did. I will also speak about some of the differences and similarities between me and the individuals who stand in position of leadership in my community, and whether I feel that minority group interests are represented within my community? Lastly, I will also speak about if I could settle any negativities within my community, and how and why if...

Words: 1513 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Poetry: the Enlightenment of a Forsaken Culture

...Enlightenment of a Forsaken Culture Poetry is an art that provokes the mind, transforms the soul and conveys sentiments unknown. It’s the literary means of conveying a cryptic outlook to an idea, theme or feelings composed by the author; a rhythmic pattern that utilizes rich and precise words in a piece; applies figurative language in order to transcend to an abstract or literal world. Poems use various styles of writing; either complex or straightforward language. Imagery, symbols and metaphors are also used. A poem can take many forms it be either short or long, meaningless or meaningful with the ability to illuminate and enrich the readers understanding with many aspects of life. Yet, for a poem to transcend time, the author must accomplish one fundamental thing: to create a connection between the poem and the reader. Thus, awakening of the mind, body, and soul. The poems chosen, are an attempt to understand and connect self to a forgotten and at times, unknown culture and heritage. To accomplish the task at hand, the first step was to search for Mexican-American poets. Second step was to find a common theme (culture and heritage) or writing style. Lastly, all of the poems needed to be predominantly in English. With a variety of Mexican-American poets, the task was not as simple, nonetheless, it was accomplished. The following five poems examine the language, symbols and metaphors used by the poets that elicit a deeper understanding of a culture: “187 Reasons Mexicanos Can’t...

Words: 2007 - Pages: 9