Chapter 11
Strengths.Hispanic families have a
strong identification and attachment to
the nuclear and extended family which
includes intense feelings of loyalty,
reciprocity, and solidarity among members
calledfamilism. Several researchers have
identified the following as strengths of
Hispanic-American families (Carter &
McGoldrick, 2005; Medora, 2005; Ramirrez
et al., 2004; Rodriguez et al., 2007):
Challenges.One of the major challenges
facing Hispanic families is poverty (Llagas,
2003). In 2006, 27% of Hispanic children
lived in poverty compared to 10% white,
non-Hispanic children (Federal
Interagency Forum on Child and Family
Statistics, 2008). There are many struggles
which accompany poverty that influence
overall wellbeing, including: limited job
opportunities, unequal or limited access to
family resources because of the language
barrier, unequal access to healthcare, and
cultural insensitivity from society at large
(Suleiman, 2003).
Hispanics and blacks both experience
labor market discrimination and housing
discrimination; however, these two groups
differ in some important ways. Hispanics
are more likely to intermarry with whites,
which is a key sign ofcultural assimilation
(Bean & Stevens, 2003). Hispanics are also
more likely than blacks to experience
residential integration, an indication of
upward mobility (Emerson, Yancey, &
Chai, 2001). This may be at least in part
because Hispanics tend to have lighter
skin color than blacks, making them seem
more similar to whites than to blacks.
Other challenges Hispanic-American
families face may be related to the loss of
extended family connections among new
immigrants. This loss of traditional family
support among new immigrants may be a
factor in the high rates of teenage
childbearing and out-of-wedlock births.
Hispanic-American teenagers also have
the highest rates of attempted suicide andHispanic families demonstrate a high degree of familism.Image from BigstockPhoto.com / monkeybusinessimages- High priority given to family
(familism) - High commitment to marriage
- Family cohesion
- Increasing role flexibility
- Supportive kin network system
- Strong commitment to religion