Hispanic, Latino Americans and Mexican Heritage Culture

Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?

We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.

You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Click Here To Order Now!

Hispanic, Latino Americans and Mexican Heritage Culture

Brief History

Hispanics/Latinos are the largest minority cultural group, while Mexicans form the largest socio-cultural group among the Hispanic/Latino constituency (Pineda, n.d.)
Their history spans around 500 years
Harsh colonial experiences, quest for a better life, and political instability were key to migrating to the US.

Values

In both groups, extended family is the main source of identity and protection.
Collectivist/group-oriented values are predominant in both (Cultural insights, n.d.)
In both groups, respect, politeness, and kindness are highly valued (Carteret, n.d.)
Nursing implication professionals need to develop an approach that incorporates the values of family, collectivism, and respect in delivering care to these groups.

Worldview

Both groups are very close to the spirit world.
Both groups are influenced by a belief in destiny.
Both groups emphasize religious tradition.
Nursing implication interventions should respond appropriately to the normative worldviews to deconstruct the negative philosophies of life using culturally-sensitive information (Lemley & Spies, 2015)

Language and Communication

In both groups, Spanish is a key marker of social, personal, and political identity (Cultural insights, n.d., p. 3)
Most Hispanics/Latinos speak English; however, Mexicans demonstrate hardship in communicating in English than other socio-cultural groups.
In nonverbal communication, maintaining eye contact can be interpreted by Mexicans as a challenge or intimidation (Cultural insights, n.d., p. 17)
Nursing implication be sensitive to language and consider using culturally-sensitive bilingual health messages when communicating to patients of Mexican descent (Lemley & Spies, 2015)

Art and other Expressive Forms

Murals and religious artifacts are used to communicate emotions in both groups.
Mexicans use religious artifacts (e.g., Holy Cross and pictures of Virgin Mary) more than other Latino socio-cultural groups.
Nursing implication emphasize cultural sensitivity when designing interventions as some artworks may be interpreted negatively in Mexican heritage (Lemley & Spies, 2015)

Norms and Values

Both groups are not time conscious, hence patients often show up late for appointments (Carteret, n.d.)
Both groups do not expect orderly processes in healthcare contexts.
Hispanic social norms emphasize the importance of communication (verbal and nonverbal) in interpersonal relationships (Cultural insights, n.d., p. 17).

Lifestyle Characteristics

In both groups, food must be accompanied by herbs and other natural remedies.
Low rates of smoking/illicit drug use in both groups
Low rates of early sexual activity in both groups
Low levels of alcohol use in both groups

Relationship Patterns

In both groups, trust is built around family and friends.
In both groups, mutual dependence and undying loyalty are prevalent in relationships.
Both groups demonstrate an unwillingness to self-disclose (Lemley & Spies, 2015)
Nursing implication professionals must solicit opinions from family members and friends to gain the trust and confidence of patients in both groups

Common Rituals

In both groups, religion is a way of life.
Both groups express a belief that a person cannot alter fate.
Latinos believe diseases are caused by natural/supernatural events; however, Mexicans believe envy (envidia) causes illness/bad luck (Cultural insights, n.d.)
Nursing implication using culturally-sensitive interventions to challenge these rituals is effective in increasing uptake of healthcare services (Carteret, n.d.)

Assimilation of Marginalization

In both groups, the focus is on acculturation.
Acculturation stress has led to higher levels of alcohol/drug use among Mexican adolescents than in the general Latino/Hispanic population (Marsiglia, Nagashi, Parsai, Booth, & Castro, 2014)
In both groups, acculturation is leading to the breakdown of the family structure.
Nursing implication healthcare interventions must take into account the levels of acculturation and resultant challenges, particularly among adolescents of Mexican heritage (Marsiglia et al., 2014)

Health Behaviors and Practices

Both groups show take traditional food and herbs to cure disease.
Low immunization rates documented in both groups (Lemley & Spies, 2015)
Hispanics/Latinos have the highest uninsured rates in America, at 32%; the uninsured rate of individuals of Mexican heritage is 34.7%
Individuals in both groups are reluctant to visit primary care physicians.

References

Carteret, M. (n.d.). Cultural values of Latino patients and families. Web.

Cultural insights: Communicating with Hispanics/Latinos. (n.d.). Web.

Lemley, M., & Spies, L.A. (2015). Traditional beliefs and practices among Mexican American immigrants with type II diabetes: A case study. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 27, 185-189. Web.

Marsiglia, F.F., Nagashi, J.L., Parsai, M., Booth, J.M., & Castro, F.G. (2014). The parent-child acculturation gap, parental monitoring, and substance use in Mexican heritage adolescents in Mexican neighborhoods of the Southwest U.S. Journal of Community Psychology, 42,530-543. Web.

Pineda, A.M. (n.d.). The history and experience of Latinos/Hispanics in the United States. Web.

Click Here To Order Now!