Latina/Latino Culture

By: Kevin Floress

Overview

The Latino Population Difficulties for Latinos Latinos Underrepresented/served Culture & Counseling Implications Activity

The Latino Population: “Latino” vs. “Hispanic”

HISPANIC derives from the mostly white Iberian Peninsula that includes Spain and Portugal

LATINO derives from the indigenous people of the Americas (Mexico, Central America, and South America).

“Latino” not included in U.S. Census Bureau until 2000!

Now - “Hispanic or Latino of any race.”

The Latino Population: “Latino” vs. “Hispanic”

One study: 1200 registered voters Older and liberal prefer Latino Assimilated, conservative, young prefer

Hispanic Hispanic and Latino, often used interchangeably. While

some resent the interchangeable use of the terms, together, they represent a diverse group of individuals who share many things in common such as language,

religion, and customs. Insert country name: _______American No definitive answer = preference!

The Latino Population: Fastest Growing Population

In 1990 Latino population = 22.4 million In 2000 Latino population = 35.3 million= increase of nearly 58% in 10 years!!!

Total U.S. population (2000) = 281.4 million 35.3 million Latinos represent 12.5% of

population

= For first time, Latinos represent largest minority group in U.S.

The Latino Population: Fastest Growing Population

According to American Community Survey by U.S. Census Bureau:2004 Latino population = 40.5million; representing 14.2% of U.S. population (nearly 2% increase in only 4 years!)

Projection: By the year 2050, 1 of 4 American residents will be of Latino descent!!

The Latino Population:Diverse group

More than 20 different countries Varying socio-cultural backgrounds Several different Spanish dialects

72% 1st generation Latinos speak Spanish

78% 3rd generation older speak English as primary

= Don’t assume b/c client has Latino sounding surname they speak Spanish!

The Latino Population:Diverse group

58.5% Mexico 9.6% Puerto Rico 4.8% Central America 3.8% South America 3.5% Cuba 2.2% Dominican Republic .3% Spain Remaining 17.3% = “all other”

The Latino Population: Where are Latinos in U.S.?

75% in South and Western U.S.

15% in Midwest 9% in Northeast

77% of population in just 7 states: CA, TX, NY, FL, IL, AZ, NJ

The Latino Population: Where are Latinos in U.S.?

California = highest population (11 million)

Texas = 2nd highest (6.7 million) New Mexico = highest proportion

(42% of residents)

Overview: The Latino Population

Difficulties for Latinos Latinos Underrepresented/served

Culture & Counseling Implications

Activity

Difficulties for Latinos

U.S. attributes for individual success Power inequities Racial profiling

Difficulties for Latinos: U.S. Attributes for Individual Success:

“Self-Determination” + “Hard Work” = Success

“Lazy”+ “Incompetent” = Not Successful

Reality = Unequal opportunities based on gender, race-skin color, national origin, 1st language, socioeconomic class, age, sexual orientation, etc……

Difficulties for Latinos:Power Inequities

Unequal distribution of political, economic, social, symbolic power in U.S.

Unequal distribution of opportunities among varying ethnic & cultural groups.

Alienation

(Torres, 2004)

Difficulties for Latinos:Power Inequities

Furthermore, Latinas (Latino women), earn only 52% of equally educated white males in FT, permanent positions.

Still far below the 72% Caucasian females earn.

(Torres, 2004)

Difficulties for Latinos:Racial Profiling

Latinos not race; however, profiling exists According to Aguirre, author of “Profiling

Mexican American Identity:” During traffic stops, Latinos motorists 11% probability

of vehicle search; Caucasians 5% Latinos 8% probability of physical search; Caucasians

4% Latinos more likely to be victims of police physical

violence

Overview The Latino Population

Difficulties for Latinos

Latinos Underrepresented/served

Culture & Counseling Implications

Activity

Latinos Underrepresented & Underserved

Education Popular Media Political Domain Business World

Latinos Underrepresented:Education

Latinos most undereducated population in U.S.

In 2001, Latino immigrant HS dropout rate = 44.2% (7.4 % for all others combined)

First generation dropout rate 14.6% Around 15% for later generations

(Mehring, 2005)

Latinos Underrepresented:Education % of Latino population graduating from

college alarmingly low! Reasons for dropouts =

language barriers + attending lower quality inner city schools

Need to create more English language programs that don’t interfere w/ reg. class

(Mehring, 2005)

Latinos Underrepresented: Popular Media

Latinos over 12.5% of U.S. population Latinos represent only 1-3% of

primetime television actors/actresses Portrayed narrowly and often

negatively:- Criminals, law enforcers, Latin lovers,

harlots or prostitutes, or comic relief.

(Mastrow & Morawitz, 2005)

Latinos Underrepresented: Political Domain

As of 2005, very few Latino politicians While mayor of Los Angeles and

governor of New Mexico are both Latino, the total number of Latino politicians can be counted w/2 hands with fingers to spare.

(Roncevic, 2005)

Latinos Underrepresented: Business World

Very few Latinos in professional business sector.

Few small business owners, fewer heads of major corps.

Correlation with lack of education Extremely important! As Latino

success becomes increasingly important for U.S. economic success.

Overview The Latino Population

Difficulties for Latinos

Latinos Underrepresented/served

Culture & Counseling Implications

Activity

Traditional Latino Culture and Implications for Counseling

Traditional beliefs

Familismo

Personalismo

Gender Roles

Trad’l Latino Culture & Counseling: 7 Traditional Latino beliefs (text book, p.174)

1. Strict/separate roles for male-female2. Strong family/community identity3. Past/present time orientation vs.

future4. Value elderly over youth5. Value traditions & rituals6. Respect authority7. Value spirituality

Trad’l Latino Culture & Counseling:Familismo?

Faithfulness, loyalty reciprocity, and unity within immediate and extended family

Family needs greater than individuals! Varies greatly from dominant culture

where autonomy is highly valued!

Trad’l Latino Culture & Counseling:Familismo impact on counseling

What are possible implications for counseling?

Decision making can be difficult (may need family involvement) Ask client preferred communication (designated family

member?) Multiple people may come to the counseling session May affect limits of confidentiality & change

interventions e.g. need to collaborate w/family members prior to treatment decisions Perhaps enroll family member assistance in intervention

plans

Trad’l Latino Culture & Counseling: Personalismo?

Intimate, personal, respectful relationships

Interactions should be warm, friendly, and personal

Interpersonal relationships more highly valued than task achievement

Trad’l Latino Culture & Counseling: Personalismo impact on counseling

What are possible implications for counseling? Spend increased time/effort in initial stages: Building

rapport & Therapeutic alliance Rogerian skills: Display empathy, warmth, attentive

listening, genuineness, etc. Possibly increase self disclosures so client sees

personal side trust & compliance greater likelihood of positive counseling outcome Would you accept personal invitation from Latino

client?

Trad’l Latino Culture & Counseling: Gender Roles - Male

Machismo – promotion of traditional male/female roles

Males (possible pros/cons)

Stereotypical Pros: work hard, protect, make important decisions, and provide financially for family

Stereotypical Cons: Heavy drinking (manly to “hold you liquor”), risk taking, highly authoritarian, physical violence

Trad’l Latino Culture & Counseling: Gender Role – Female

Woman’s status correlate w/ability to bear children

Taking care of the family Good wife cooks, cleans, and

takes care of children Stands behind husband’s

decisions

Trad’l Latino Culture & Counseling: Gender Role impact in counseling

What are possible implications for counseling? Recognize client’s contextual perspective of

male-female relations Refrain from forcing Anglo-American values

onto client May affect diagnosis of client: (e.g. Latina that seems passive may not be

passive by her culture’s standards)

Summary The Latino Population Difficulties for Latinos Latinos Underrepresented/served Culture & Counseling Implications

---> Activity

Activity:

Break into groups (3 - 4members) Scenarios:

You are a community counselor:

Case conceptualization:How would you approach and what would you consider for the following cases?

Scenarios1. Unmarried, 3rd generation Latina.

Presenting issue: Lacks assertiveness2. Married, Latino male. Has been in U.S. for 3

years. Presenting issue: Court ordered alcohol treatment

3. Married, 1st generation Latina. Presenting issue: Trust issues.

4. Unmarried, 2nd generation, Latino male. Presenting issue: Anger control

5. Unmarried, newly immigrated Latina. Presenting issue: Depression