Hispanic-American Diversity: An Overview Soy Essay

As with other Hispanic groups, there may be a greater reluctance to seek professional help in dealing with psychological issues because of a belief that the church, rather than Western psychological medicine, should address such problems. The greater economic security of middle-class Cuban immigrants and their children thus has not meant an entirely uncomplicated relationship with the new American homeland.

Puerto Rican-Americans

Although it is a small island, the history of Puerto Rico has been marked by many influences, spanning from Africa to Spain to Latin America. "There is an essential dichotomy [in] Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States. Within American jurisdiction, as reflected by common citizenship, flag, currency and numerous applicable Federal laws, Puerto Rico might seem in everything but name a State of the Union. But on the other side you will find a culture and society profoundly different from that in the mainland. It is a rich and varied culture but a unique one emanating from all those rich influences. This makes Puerto Rico a unique blend of the Spanish-Caribbean 'joy of living' and the American drive for organization and forward-thinking" (Puerto Rico, 2010, Culture/History). On one hand, Puerto Rico is 'closer' to the U.S. than other Hispanic nations in terms of its status as a self-governing commonwealth. Yet unlike Mexican-Americans who are desperately trying to be accepted as full U.S. citizens, either on a literal or a cultural level -- or both, Puerto Ricans wish to keep their unique identity as well as participate in the greater American community.

Puerto Ricans constitute 14% of America's population, and despite their cultural prominence in American media, spanning from the popular entertainers Daisy Martinez and Rosie Perez to Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story, they still constitute an economically disadvantaged group. Rather than gains, Puerto Ricans have registered a steady loss in economic status. "The ratio of median Puerto Rican to white family income fell from .62 in 1960 to .50 in 1980" and has continued to decline, according to Health Affairs, despite growing cultural prominence of the ethnic group in the media.

Columbian-Americans

Central and South American Hispanic immigrants "are better educated than most Hispanics" yet, "upon relocating to a new country, they initially experience downward mobility in terms of occupational status" (Schaefer, 2005: 252). While earlier waves of Columbian immigrants may have come from the middle class, immigrants who flee to the U.S. As a result of political instability often have a greater difficulty adjusting to the U.S. economic and cultural landscape. Unlike Mexican-Americans who experience a modest gain in economic and educational status compared with their original plight at home, Columbian-Americans often do not, which can result in a more uncomfortable and ambiguous relationship with the new homeland that is far less positive than the relationship enjoyed by previous, educated Hispanic-American immigrants to the U.S., such as that of Cubans.

Conclusion

The cultural differences between Hispanic-American groups are notable, and there is no clear religious, economic, or political unifying factor amongst them all, other than experiencing personal discrimination, to varying degrees, based upon their heritage. Some groups, such as Cuban-Americans, may not identify even with the broadest chronicled trends amongst Hispanic-Americans, such as a rising poverty rate. For political change to occur, unity is necessary, but given the profound divides within the designation 'Hispanic' such political cohesion remains elusive.

References

Bachay, Judith & Rafael Montes. (2010). Article 14: The Cuban-American grieving process

Counseling.org. Retrieved September 17, 2010 at http://www.counseling.org/Resources/Library/VISTAS/vistas04/14.pdf

The declining economic status of Puerto Ricans. Health Affairs. Retrieved September 17,

2010 at http://www.irp.wisc.edu/publications/focus/pdfs/foc102d.pdf

Grogger, Jeffrey & Stephen J. Trejo. (2002, May) The economic progress of Mexican-

Americans. California Public Policy Brief. Issue 54. Retrieved September 17, 2010 at http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/rb/RB_502JGRB.pdf

Kraus, Eva. (1997). Comparing cultural differences. MexConnect. Retrieved September 17,

2010 at http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3194-comparing-cultural-differences-mexico-with-canada-and-the-united-states

Puerto Rico. (2010). Culture/History. Boriken. Retrieved September 17,

2010 at http://www.prboriken.com/culture.htm

Schaefer, Richard T. (2006). Racial and Ethnic Groups. 10th Edition. Prentice-Hall.