Latino History and Culture

Historians ar still unclear on when the first Hispanics appe ard in North the farmings. The intimately prevalent theory is that they were nomadic hunters who came from the Asia mainland and a despoil the thusly frozen Bering Straight into Al containa. Regard slight(prenominal)(prenominal) of their origins their main region is instantly the the Statess, twain North and southwestwest strugg conduct and it is expected that the Hispanic race in the worry together States allow for increase by 40% in the next x familys (US Census 2010). Their subtlety and society is steeped in tradition and sagaciousness and appreciating their culture is imperative for any mortal proceeding in the fond go field. Latino Traditions and goal The Latino culture contains numerous diverse sub-cultures, so farthermost on that point is a common theme and religion that run through and through all Latino cultures. An classic cultural slip that is prevalent among umpteen an(prenom inal) Latinos is the closeness of the society the lack of personal space in their culture is very primal as they be much(prenominal) open to sensual t twistile sensation and showing affection. Social Expectations Time orientation inclines to be diverse for Latinos who be generally much lineed with the presend than with the future or planning ahead.Due to this trend, it is much assistantful to remind Latinos the twenty- quadruple hour period before an appointment or activity. This too relates to why some Latinos tend to way more on work than advancing their fostering. Latinos see work as a way of receiving mvirtuosoy now which is a way they groundwork improve their snappys now and if take oned flip enough to delegate m maviny to relatives back in their countries of origin. However, advancing their procreation would mean that they read more in the future but less in the short term w here their focus is.The Latino family, including extended family, is the prim itive social unit, and source of support. practically Latino men who be in the unite States come smacking for a way to support their familys back in their home town. Even making minimum wage or less here the amount that these Latinos send home can get under ones skin a significant heighten for the families in their home country. This support of family similarly extends to those who come to the linked States. Often when Latinos migrate to the United States they stay with family or friends who leave antecedently immigrated. Respect and Interpersonal RelationshipsRespect is pregnant in Latino culture as it indicates sequester behavior to fightds others based on age, gender, social and economical property and authority. Formality is seen as a sign of respect, including the use of suffixes such(prenominal) as Senor/ Don, Senora/ Dona. A nonher sign of respect in Latino culture is avoiding meat contact with authority figures. This is practically conf utilize to America ns who see maintaining eye contact as a way of showing several things including respect, listening, intelligence, and honesty. Latinos tend to tension the importance of personal rather than institutional relationships.Interpersonal contact is very important to develop trust when interacting with a person of Latino culture. It is common that Latino clients find it uncomfortable to leave messages in office voicemails for this reason. Trust is make on mutual respect over time. Showing personal relate in Latino individual may help oneself establishing trust. Latino families ar characterized by traditional gender roles. Men argon expected to pretend machismo or prominently exhibited masculinity this means men should be rational, strong, authoritarian, and independent.Women atomic quash 18 expected to be submissive, dependant, as well as take treat of the children and the household. Many Latinos desire that in timets argon meant to happen because of fate, a power that they c an non keep in line. Many Latino clients will regulate Its my cross to bear, or If God wishes so. This fatalism may prevent them from desire help. Because of this fatalism, spiritual healers play an important role in helping slew with physical as well as mental concerns. Some Latinos believe that bewitching is often the cause of a change in behavior or illness.Bewitching involves the use of magical acts and supernatural powers either by unfeignedity or supernatural beings. This may simply involve the casting of a spell. Religion and Traditions In general Latinos argon very religious, 90% of Latinos be Catholic or Protestant. The church service serves as a guide for perceptions and behaviors, influencing decisions and judgments. The church is often an important source for social support and interaction. Latino churches also t apiece the foster of family and argon often a place where thither atomic number 18 Spanish language masses.The communal nature of Latinos is represent ed by the use of food in the culture, sharing and offering food to guests is important and often relates to the holidays that Latinos often celebrate. Holidays be an important function of Latino culture, round holidays relate to the religious, while others relate to anniversaries of study battles in Mexican history. All the major catholic holidays argon celebrated by Latinos such as Christmas, Lent and Easter as well as the Catholic rites of passage Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation. The Day of the perfect(a) Guadalupe is December 12.The Virgin of Guadalupe is Mexicos most popular religious and cultural image, with the titles Queen of Mexico, Empress of the Americas and Patroness of the Americas, twain Miguel Hidalgo (in the Mexican War of Independence) and Emiliano Zapata (during the Mexican Revolution) carried Flags bearing the Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Guadalupe Victoria, the first Mexican prexy changed his name in her honor. The shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico urban amount of money is the most visited Catholic shrine in the world. (Elizondo, 1997) The Day of the dead is another(prenominal) holiday celebrated by Latinos which is connected to the Catholic church.November 2 is the Catholic holiday of All Souls Day, for Latinos it becomes The Day of the Dead. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and think back friends and family members who break down died. Shrines and food argon prepargond and often brought to the cemetery where love ones are buried. The f first-class honours degreeer type Marigold also play a divulge in the celebrations. Cinco de Mayo is a holiday held on May 5 that commemorates the Mexican armys unlikely victory over French forces at the mesh of Puebla on May 5, 1862.Mexican Independence Day had its bicentennial on kinfolk 16, 2010. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, cheatn for his progressive ideas, declared Mexican independence in the town of Dolores on September 16, 1810. History and in-migration Waves of migrants came into the Americas starting around 50,000 B. C. during the Pleistoncene Ice Age, and the migration ended when a melting trend came about around 9,000 B. C. The first Mexicans were hunter-ga on that pointrs until around 8000 B. C. when they started to breed Maize plants. In 1800 B. C. he most intensive Maize farming began. Maize or corn, along with squash and beans were a staple of the early Mexican forage and are still a major part of Mexican diets today. ((Meyer, Sherman &type A Deeds, 1999)). Between 1800 B. C. and 1521 A. D. complex cultures began to form, some becoming very advanced, such as the Maya, and the Aztec. These cultures along with others made significant technological, cultural, and scientific advances, such as make pyramid-temple complexes, sophisticated mathematics and astronomy, and the creation of the Long Count Calendar.These civilizations had large cites and militaries and govern over the Valley of Mexi co until the Spanish Conquest begin in 1517 A. D. ((Meyer, Sherman & amp Deeds, 1999)). The Spanish Conquest Fifteen century Spanish explorers discovered what we sire it away today as Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. In the following divisions, Spain expanded its empire into the new world by force. The conquistadores had more advanced weapons and were thought to be gods by the indigenous people because they were unstoppable.Spain claimed Mexico as part of its empire, although it took 200 more years to complete the conquest. Spanish culture spread from Mexico to Central and South America, and over what is now the southwest United States. Early Spanish settlements were conventional in what became Florida, vernal Mexico and California. ((Meyer, Sherman & Deeds, 1999)). Conquistadores claimed treasures for the Spanish crown and brought Catholic missionaries to forcibly convert indigenous inhabitants. Some indigenous populations became extinct during this period.Over the t hree centuries of Spanish rule less than 700,000 Spaniards, mostly men sett take in Mexico, this led to intermarriage of Spaniards and indigenous natives that produced persons of mixed blood which the term Mestizos represents. The Spanish also brought diseases such as small pox which the indigenous peoples had no resistivity to it and eventually died in the hundreds of thousands. (Meyer, Sherman & Deeds, 1999). The Colonial Period 1650-1810 During this period Mexico was a part of the much larger Viceroyalty of New Spain, which let ind Cuba, Puerto Rico, Central America, the south estern United States, and the Philippines. Colonial law was destructive and unfair to the natives, as no Mexican native, even one with pure Spanish blood, could hold an administrative office. From an economic point of view, New Spain was administered not to compete with Spain in impairment of exports, such as grapes and olives. exclusively two ports were open to foreign trade, one on the Atlantic and the other on the Pacific. Foreigners had to defy a spare permit to travel in Mexico and few Mexicans were permitted to travel abroad. Few books were acquirable and education was discouraged.Mexican natives live in serfdom. ((Meyer, Sherman & Deeds, 1999). Mexican Independence 1807- 1910 In 1807 Napoleon I invaded Spain and placed his brother on the Spanish throne. Mexican conservatives and rich lan set downers who supported Spains royal family objected to the liberal policies that Napoleon favored. Mexican liberals who wanted a democratic Mexico allied with the Mexican conservatives who wanted a Spanish monarch rather than Napoleons brother, these two sides concur lonesome(prenominal) that Mexico must strive independence. ((Meyer, Sherman & Deeds, 1999).Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, known for his progressive ideas, declared Mexican independence in the town of Dolores on September 16, 1810. This declaration started a drawn out war that lasted 11 years, wit h liberating troops entering Mexico City in 1821. The Treaty of Cordoba, write August 24, 1821 verified that Mexico was now a sovereign nation. After achieving emancipation from Spain, Mexico struggled with the decision to be an empire or a republic. The Mexican presidency went through many changes often by co-ops during this period of instability. superstar example of this is when federalists asked common Santa Anna to overthrow the accepted president, Bustamante. Santa Anna did this and later went on to serve as president 11 times, including when Texas declared itself a sovereign nation and later during the Mexican-American War. The Mexican-American war was when The United States occupied California and attacked Mexico City. The war ended with the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which tell that Mexico must sell its northern territories to the United States for 15 million dollars. However, subsequently war with The United States, Mexicos political scienceal n hiatus continued (Meyer, Sherman & Deeds, 1999). The Mexican Revolution 1910-1929 Many Mexican were unhappy with their government, so after sibilant election fraud, from an incumbent president, riots broke out and the revolution began.The revolutionary forces led by, among others, Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata, and Venustiano Carranza defeated the Federal Army, but later disagreed on how to organize the government. These disagreements became a political standoff that led to a violent struggle for control that lasted for more than 20 years. The Constitution created in 1917 still governs Mexico today. (Meyer, Sherman & Deeds, 1999)) The PRI and the reverse of Contemporary Mexico 1929- present In 1929 the National Mexican Party was form by the president, General Plutarco Elias Calles. The National Mexican Party convinced most of the remaining revolutionary generals to hand over their personal armies to the Mexican Army, this act ended the Mexican revolution. Later renamed Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) this new party ruled Mexico for the rest of the 20th century. The PRI is referred to as the three-legged stool, in reference to Mexican workers, peasants, and bureaucrats.The PRI did not lose a senate seat until 1988 or a gubernatorial execute until 1989. It was not until July 2, 2000 that Vicente Fox of the opposition, National Action Party, won the presidency, ending the PRIs 71 year hold on the presidency (Meyer, Sherman & Deeds, 1999). The PRI hitd economic ontogeny and prosperity until the late 1960s when the partys management of the miserliness led to several crises and political unrest that led to the Tlatelolco massacre in 1968. More economic crisis in 1976 and again in 1982 led to the communization of Mexicos banks.In 1994, Mexico became a full member of the North American bighearted Trade Agreement, this streng whenceed Mexicos economy. Mexico now has a free commercialize economy that has entered the trillion dollar class (Meyer, Sherman & Deeds, 1999). Mexico is a major dose producing nation, an estimated 90% of the cocaine smuggled into the United States every year moves through Mexico. Mexico is also a major provider of heroin, ecstasy, and the largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamines to the US market. Major dose syndicates control the bulk of drug trafficking in the country.The Mexican government conducts the largest independent illicit crop eradication plan in the world, however, Mexico continues to be the primary shipment point for U. S. encumber cocaine from South America. (CIA. gov, 2010). One the other hand there are also many controvert adjustment for Latinos who migrate to the United States. stigmatisation of Latino immigrants is common in the United States Americans often assume that anyone who is Latino and doesnt speak slope perfectly is an illegal immigrant and look down on them. Institutionalized racism is another interdict adjustment constituent as well.Laws are being passed in Arizona that requires Latinos to carry musical accompaniment of their citizen status at all times. Latinos are often segregated from other parts of the community because they live in the shorter inhabithoods with many other immigrants. The language difference often hinders confabulation and keeps Latinos in lower class communities, where others speak Spanish. Because Latinos are oriented on the present time they focus more on work the education which could increase their socio-economic status and help their adjustment to The United States.There is a lack of support for education that would help immigrants l induce side or would help Latino children prepare for amplyer(prenominal) education. Because of this lack of education many Latinos fix low level or under skilled jobs. Latinos burdensomeness and Marginalization Latinos are one of the largest minority groups in America. The number of Latinos had steadily change magnitude over the last 40 years in the United States ( Bergad & Klein, 2010). Census data from the year 1970 indicates that there were 9. million Latinos in the United States, and it is estimated that the census data from 2010 will indicate that there are 48. 7 million Latinos musical accompaniment in the US. Census projections for the year 2050 indicate that there will be 102. 6 million Latinos in America (US Census Bureau, 2010). Although the numbers of Latinos has steadily change magnitude and are expected to continue to rise, the level of bare(a)ization and heaviness they deliver on a regular basis has not changed substantially over the years.Contributing factors to the conquest and marginalization of Latinos in American society accept peculiar(a) or lack of opportunities in the areas of economic stability, fair approach shot to living accommodations, marginal or no adit to affordable health care, poor access and quality of education, and limited political representation. Latinos are marginalized based on economic fac tors, which play a predominant role in their ability to achieve a high standard of living. Obtaining high paying jobs, adequate housing and education for themselves and their children is often much more difficult than it is for other populations in America.As report above, Latinos often migrate to America with the desire and hope to earn a living wage to support themselves and their families. Unfortunately, Latinos often work in service jobs which offer low wages and few bene get togethers. They are often hired for jobs such as landscaping, janitorial, and motley service jobs which require picayune to no formal training or education. These jobs are considered menial jobs in our society and often fail to meet the basic needs of the workers, let alone offer disposable income that can be used to obtain a greater quality of manners.Our group interviewed two men who are undocumented workers. These are some of the most marginalized and oppress Latinos in America due to the fact that they have no documents indicating that they are able to work in the United States legally. Economic reasons were cited by both men one who was in his mid-forties and the other who was in his early twenties, as factors for their in-migration to the United States. Both men indicated that the job opportunities were far greater for them in American then in their home countries of El Salvador and Honduras.These men indicated that they are fully aware that they are discriminated against and oppressed here in the United States because of their legal status, and both men account feeling powerless to change the sy infrastructure without obtaining legal status to work freely in America. They report subminimum wages and long hours as landscapers. They also reported that they often get taken advantage of by those hiring them for the day as laborers, as sometimes they are not paid at all and they feel they have no recourse under the legal system.The wages they do make are barely sufficient for them to live on, so they find themselves living in large group situations with other immigrants to pool their resources. They report that communal living in their only option for survival at this time, oddly during the current economic depression. The few dollars they may have each month after their own basic needs are met are sent to their families in their homelands to assist them in meeting their basic living needs.They reported that they would need approximately two thousand dollars each to become documented, which is a tremendous and impossible amount of money for them to save considering the meager compensation they have each month. The poor overall economic conditions of Latinos have a severely limiting effect on their ability to purchase a home and enjoy home ownership, which is touted as part of success here in America. Research indicates that Hispanic or Latino households have less than ten cents for every dollar in wealth owned by duster households.Growing wage inequ ality makes it very difficult to emerge from the circle of poverty or to accumulate assets and increase their net worth ( intelligence service Batch, 2008, p. 1). Only one in four Latino households owns no assets other than a car or unsecured debt (Lowery, 2010, p. 1). In 2007, the median non-Hispanic white family reported $171,200 in net worth versus only $28,300 for non-white and Hispanic families. Latinos have been far more likely than whites to receive high-priced loans, when they are given loans, and carry higher debt relative to their incomes.Loan approval is difficult for most Latinos in good economic times, and almost impossible in recessionary times. Communities of color commonly set about higher crime rates and lower tax bases than predominately white neighborhoods. Latinos are a relatively young group or population. They are not as highly educated, and they tend to be concentrated in high cost regions of the country, such as New York and California, where homeownership can be less attainable, or it forces them into low income neighborhoods. As well, in these areas, Latinos are much more likely to be immigrants (Dugan, 2004).In the current economic conditions the rates of foreclosures disproportionately allude communities of color. The income gap continues to deepen in America between the wealthy and the poor at an alarming rate, with the poorer class increasing in numbers with each passing year. Research indicates that these economic and social disparities stand to grow worse in the years to come, which further oppresses Latinos and other people of color. Not only are poor economic opportunities and access to adequate housing real issues for Latinos in America, heath care is a serious concern.Many Latinos work in menial jobs earning minimum wage or less. These jobs often do not offer health indemnification benefits and the cost of purchasing health insurance is prohibitive for many Latinos and their families. Often they must rely upon governme nt programs such as Medicaid, which is a needs based health insurance program for the indigent. This in turn leads to negative perceptions of Latinos draining the system and further fuels tyrannical and discriminatory acts against them. Other contributing factors facing Latinos in the area of health related issues are poor diets and access to adequate nutrition.Research indicates that there are a disproportionately high number of fast food establishments in economically depressed areas in which predominately people of color reside (Freeman, 2007, p. 2225). This leads to increased health risks, including heart disease, obesity, and diabetes in these populations. Low income families often cannot afford healthy, wholesome foods from grocery stores, and grocery stores are often not easily tack together in low income areas, whereas fast food establishments are plentiful (Freeman, 2007). This is a marginalizing factor that often goes unnoticed by society.Between 1991 and 2001, the obesit y rate among Latinos has kaput(p) up from 11. 6% to 23. 7% at heart the United States. 23% of Hispanic men are obese, and 27. 5% of women are obese. These statistics are higher than those of non-Hispanics within the U. S. Also, Latinos are twice more likely to have diabetes and to suffer from various diabetes-related illnesses such as kidney and eye disease. Studies have found that these ailments can stem from poor eating habits, and tend to increase with immigration (Arizona State University, 2010).Lack of access to quality educational opportunities and support is another contributing factor to the oppression and marginalization of Latinos in American society. The high rail dropout rate among Latinos is higher than any other minority group, with only four in ten high school aged students obtaining a high school diploma. The statistics for the Latino high school dropout rate in Nevada is currently one of the highest in the nation with only 42% of Latino students earning a high s chool diploma (Sitwell, 2010).Young men still have higher dropout rates then young women, however the gap is closing in this area, and society is see more young women exit the school setting without graduating from high school, which sets them up for a life time of menial employment opportunities and low wages. As well, research indicates that by age 26, thirty eight percent of white high school graduates have obtained a bachelors degree, in comparison to 18 percent of Hispanic high school graduates. The U. S. division of Education identifies seven undergraduate attributes negatively associated with post atomic number 42ary degree attainment.The risk characteristics are delayed college entry, part-time attendance, financial independent status, single parent status, having dependents, not having a regular high school diploma, and functional full-time. The average number of risk attributes for Latino undergraduates is 2. 4, in comparison to 2. 0 for white undergraduates. Often the level of education individuals obtain is directly related to their quality of life as they are ruin able to afford a higher standard of living with increased education. Many Latinos do not have the basic education required to ensure financial security in American society.One of the major barriers for Latinos obtaining adequate educational levels is in their use and understanding of the English language. For many Latino families, English is often a second language which makes it difficult for learning to take place in the American culture. Additionally, the new political campaigns here in Nevada offered a clear recitation that political diversity is rampant in our society. The recent negative political ads ran by candidate Sharon Angle were a blatant example of institutional discrimination against Latinos.The television ads ran by Sharon Angle for Senate showed Latinos dressed up as gang bangers with a narratorwarning waves of illegal aliens are stream across our borders, joinin g violent gangs and forcing families to live in fear. These types of negative ads only enforce the long standing stereotypes about Latinos. The Latino population is split over whether immigrant and native-born Latinos are working together to achieve common political goals. About half (45%) say they are, and half (46%) say they are not.Both the native born (who comprise 47% of the adult Latino population) and the foreign born (who comprise 53%) are roughly as divided on their perceptions of political solidarity. On every level, from the micro, mezzo and large levels, Latinos face inequities as a result of our social system that supports it. As social workers we must be aware that the issues of oppression, marginalization and discrimination against Latinos are a result of a social system that promotes and justifies marginalizing others. We must look oward changing the systems that support oppression, rather than looking to change the people who are victims of the system. Push and Pu ll factors Latinos travel and migration to the United States can be tacit in terms of pull and push factors, these factors that would pull Latinos to the United States include the Network theory, those who migrated first would help their family and friends come to US, who would then help others, and so on. The United States has higher living standards than some places in Mexico where some places the piddle is not safe to drink among other factors.The United States has higher wages, even those who make less than minimum wage make more than they could make in some areas of Mexico. Factors that push Latinos out of their native country include shortage of jobs, unemployment, and low wages. Political conflicts are common in some areas of Latin America as well as government conflicts with drug rings, Latinos do not want to be caught in the middle of a conflict or have their family caught and so they migrate to the United States. These conflicts can also lead to forced displacement, espec ially in Central America where there is insufficient lands.Some countries in Latin America violate homophile rights, have high levels of corruption and crime. In Latin American countries there is often persistent poverty and parts of the population go athirst(p) at times. Positive-Adjustment Factors Latinos have some positive adjustment factors for migration, such as a strong desire for a better life for their family. They have supportive families, especially when some family members have previously migrated. These family members help in many ship canal including lodging, food, networking, finding jobs, and financially.Friends also help in the ways mentioned above. With Latinos becoming one of the largest minorities in the United States they are beginning to have a significant political voice. Negative- Adjustment Factors One the other hand there are also many negative adjustment for Latinos who migrate to the United States. Stigmatization of Latino immigrants is common in the Uni ted States Americans often assume that anyone who is Latino and doesnt speak English perfectly is an illegal immigrant and look down on them. Institutionalized racism is another negative adjustment factor as well.Laws are being passed in Arizona that require Latinos to carry documentation of their citizen status at all times. Latinos are often segregated from other parts of the community because they live in the poorer neighborhoods with many other immigrants. The language difference often hinders communication and keeps Latinos in lower class communities, where others speak Spanish. Because Latinos are oriented on the present time they focus more on work the education which could increase their socio-economic status and help their adjustment to The United States.There is a lack of support for education that would help immigrants learn English or would help Latino children prepare for higher education. Because of this lack of education many Latinos have low level or under skilled jo bs. Society looks to place rap on individuals and groups in hard economic times rather than encounter and blame hard times on a dysfunctional systems which is inherently dissymmetryd and discriminatory. A profound example of blaming can be witnessed with the recent passage of the Arizona law against Latino immigrants.These types of laws justify institutional discrimination and oppression against minorities (Goodwin, 2010). The vast majority of Latinos-79%-disapprove of the first-of-its-kind Arizona law enacted this year that gives jurisprudence broad powers to check the immigration status of people. By contrast, the general population approves of the measure by a ratio of two-to-one. This amounts to racial profiling, and would not be tolerated by other ethnic groups. Research further indicates that 25 more states may try to pass similar anti-illegal-immigration laws next year (Goodwin, 2010).Misunderstanding of heathen Values There are several misunderstanding of cultural value this is due to a lack of bilingual staff in agencies and organizations which lead to misunderstandings of cultural believes and values in our society. Language barriers Lack of interpreters or bilingual staff available, Legal Status and Fear of deportation are many causes of lack of communication from Hispanics to service providers. Many of the Hispanics will be not be bailable for services for being undocumented, Lack of knowledge on how the US health care system works.They may think its cheaper to go to the ER than to a PCP, Many of the Hispanic families wont have access to health insurance coverage. Latino children who are not US citizens or legal residents will not be eligible for the health insurance state programs, Lack of knowledge on how the US educational and legal system works. Hispanics may think they cant file for protective orders or custody, Lack of information that leads to misconceptions about resources in the community. Many Hispanics may think that they are not el igible for WIC, victuals Stamps, etc. his is anther misunderstanding but for many Hispanics a large majority who have children born in the United States or what is known by many as Anchor Babies may be eligible for government related services and assistance. Practice Issues As a service provide it is important to incorporate a positive environment to all cultures. whatever and all services such as written materials and audiovisual tools should be presented in Spanish when available. When working in the Latino Culture it is important to follow a set of guidelines that focus on what makes the Latino Culture and those within it comfortable.As a Service provider using the guidelines below will help to effectively work within this culture. The effectiveness of word-of-mouth referrals to the center should be recommended. It is not uncommon that referrals are made because a neighbor or family member had been under treatment at the center. Once individuals and families are aware that the center offers low-cost mental-health services in Spanish and that the services offered are respectful of Latino values and beliefs, the good reputation becomes a viable source for future referrals and treatment compliance. validation, generational life reviews, and ceremonies and rituals.When working within the Latino culture it is important to focus on appropriate ways that incorporate an understanding of anothers culture. There are ways you can promote a comfortable environment using the guidelines below. One can have a clearer understanding of what can be done and what cannot. ? Strive to spell and pronounce names correctly. ? Dont assume all Latinos are Mexican ask of origin and recognize differences among Latino culture. ? Avoid asking if a person speaks Mexican or Puerto Rican. Spanish is Spanish. ? Use qualified interpreters. Children should never be asked to act as interpreters. Try to learn Spanish. Speaking in Spanish facilitates a greater level of comfort. ? Identify and address the decision-maker or spokesperson, the patriarch and Matriarch. ? Be formal in interactions with older Hispanic. ? Encourage the family to ask questions. justify thoroughly and confirm understanding. ? Check to make sure recommendations will fit into the family lifestyle. ? And finally listening is the key ? Use Spanish words you know when comfortable. Latino Education In our current educational system there have been some studies that discuss the differences with Mexican American children and American children.To better understand these differences one must first identify that Mexican American Children have a different learning style. There are four important aspects that can improve the way that these children learn. These four aspects are environmental Learning Style, Emotional Learning Style, Physiological and Sociological Learning Style. They may be homesick for their families, friends, language, and customs. Economic survival is the primary concern for immigrant fa milies. Teachers need to recognize that it is likely that the children of these newly arrived Hispanic families will be motivated, hard-working students.Their parents have sacrificed their old life to provide a better life for them and their children. Immigrant children competency suffer from culture shock when arriving to the United States. They may be homesick for their families, friends, language, and customs. Many times the need for economic survival is the primary concern for immigrant families. Empowering Teachers Teachers need to develop a multicultural curriculum that celebrates Mexican Americans for their Mexican American students. The following contributed to the effectiveness of teaching Mexican American students ?Teachers who received full responsibility for helping students. ? Teachers who were extremely caring and nurturing to students. ? The encouragement of cooperative learning. ? Student access to a wide variety of learning materials. ? If allowed in a teachers s chool district, the utilization of both Spanish and English when needed to enhance learning. Conclusion Latinos are politically marginalized and oppressed in the United States. Inequity is the virtually inevitable result of two powerful forces prejudice on the level of the individual and political imbalance on the social level.Through Building Effective Communications, Increase Partnerships between schools and Latino Hispanic Communities, Establish linkages and dialogue, and Seed new initiatives that foster change with immigration reform. We can begin building a better foundation for current and future immigrants. Research indicates that when sources of inequity are built into the social system, resulting differences are neither trivial nor discrete. Such inequities persist over time and space. Often, the inequities and oppression is blamed on the discriminated-against (Power Inequities by M.Dugan). Mexican American students face many challenges. Many are from poor backgrounds. Thei r families may lack the communication skills, knowledge, and get down to take advantage of educational, cultural, and social opportunities. Some Mexican American students are newly arrived immigrants who may experience culture shock and limited English proficiency. However, with proper education that includes caring teachers who have high expectations for these students, Mexican American students can become high achieving, successful adults.ReferencesIssue Brief). Retrieved from The American Independent News Network http//minnesotaindependent. com/60416/foreclosure-crisis-race Arizona State University. (2010).Latino Health Issues Diet and Health. Retrieved from Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts http//www. asu. edu/courses/css335/ Bergad, L. W. , & Klein, H. S. (2010).Hispanics in the United States A demographic, social, and economic history, 1980-2005. New York, NY Cambridge University Press. Dugan, M. A. (204, February 2004).Power Inequities (White Paper). Retri eved from Beyond Intractability http//www. beyondintractability. org/essay/power_inequities/ Freeman, A. (2007). Fast Food Oppression through Poor Nutrition. California Law Review, 6, 2221-2259. Goodwin, L. (2010, October 28, 2010).Report 25 states considering Arizona-style immigration laws. The New York Times. Retrieved from http//www. nytimes. com/2010/04/24/us/politics/24immig. html