Volume 3, No. 2 (Fall 1999) -- Mexican American Heritage Issue

Hispanic-Americans are united by customs, language, religion, and values. There is, however, an extensive diversity of traits among Hispanic-Americans. One characteristic that is of paramount importance in most Hispanic cultures is family commitment, which involves loyalty, a strong support system, a belief that a child’s behavior reflects on the honor of the family, a hierarchical order among siblings, and a duty to care for family members.

This strong sense of other-directedness conflicts with the United States’ mainstream emphasis on individualism. Indeed, Hispanic culture’s emphasis on cooperation in the attainment of goals can result in Hispanic students’ discomfort with this nation’s conventional classroom competition.

Hispanic adolescents are more inclined than Anglo adolescents to adopt their parents’ commitment to religious and political beliefs, occupational preferences, and lifestyle. Spirituality, the dignity of each individual, and respect for authority figures are valued throughout Hispanic culture. Stereotyped sex roles have been noted with many Latinos, where the male is perceived as dominant and strong, whereas the female is perceived as nurturing and self-sacrificing.

However, in Latino cultures, the term “machismo” (used by Anglos to refer to male chauvinism) refers to a concept of chivalry that encompasses gallantry, courtesy, charity, and courage. Hispanic male adolescents tend to display more and earlier independence than the male adolescents of the general U.S. population. However, some researchers have found that Chicano secondary school students often exhibit lower levels of self-esteem than their Anglo counterparts.

Implications for Counselors and Teachers

Although they have common characteristics Hispanic-Americans are a diverse group with distinct subcultures differing significantly as to customs and values. Demographic variables may include socioeconomic class, geography, primary language, religion, family structure and number of generations in the United States. Schools may need to provide Spanish-speaking teachers, counselors and assistants, especially where there are first-generation Hispanic families.

For immigrant Latino adolescents, identity formation and individuation can be especially challenging and problematic. Because their cultural values include strong family loyalty and allegiance, their values may be in conflict with the behavioral styles of mainstream U. S. adolescents who strive for self-expression and individuality. For Hispanic adolescents with identity-related problems, group counseling with peers experiencing similar conflicts can be helpful. the self-image problems of Hispanic-American students may result from a rejection of their ethnicity in an attempt to conform to the larger Anglo culture.

From: Hispanic-American Students and Learning Style. ERIC Digest. May 1996.