Hispanic Assimilation

Paper Summary:

The paper examines how one of the central myths about Hispanic or Latino people in America is that they do not want to learn or speak English. The paper details how this myth has been disproved in many studies and statistical analyses. The paper explores how there is tension between the need and desire for assimilation and acceptance and the simultaneous pull towards the retention of culture and language; and the fear of loss of identity through the process of assimilation. The paper concludes that there is a gradual process of assimilation which is taking place among Hispanic women. However, there is also the pull towards cultural traditions, which has resulted in fewer Hispanic women than men learning English and assimilating into American culture.

From the Paper:

"This also points to the fact that there will a strong tendency to retain cultural language and traditions among many of the Hispanic immigrants. Furthermore, In the U.S., more than 28 million people speak Spanish at home, and about half of these people speak English less than "very well." (Rodriguez, L.) The following is an excerpt from an interview with a Hispanic woman. From a report entitled Hispanic Trends, this interview serves to illustrate the important part that language plays in the retention of culture."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Clutter Ann W. and Nieto Ruben D. Understanding the Hispanic Culture. February 10, 2006.http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5237.html
• Goldstein Amy and Suro Roberto. A Journey in Stages: Assimilation's Pull Is Still Strong, but Its Pace Varies. February 9,2006. http://www.innercity.org/columbiaheights/newspaper/01_16_00_latino_journey.html
• Huntington, Samuel P. "The Hispanic Challenge." Foreign Policy Mar.-Apr. 2004: 30+. Questia. 11 Feb. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002089987>.
• Portes, Alejandro, and Min Zhou. "Should Immigrants Assimilate?." Public Interest Summer 1994: 18+. Questia. 11 Feb. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000229184>.
• Rodriguez, L. How Acculturation Impacts Health and Education. Febrauary 8, 2006. http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:_OQMI4J_nNkJ:www.coe.uga.edu/clase/HealthAcculturation.ppt+Hispanic+women+are+less+likely+to+learn+English+and+assimilate+into+American+culture+than+Hispanic+men&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&lr=lang_en&client=firefox-a

More papers on Hispanic Assimilation:

• Research Paper # 2899 : "Hispanic Americans: Colonial to Present"
• Term Paper # 134361 : "Interview With Hispanic Female"
• Analytical Essay # 135540 : "Immigration, Assimilation and Success in Society"

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