Working with Latino/a Students

• Latinos/as identified as the largest racial minority group in the United States; representing 12.5% of the U.S. population (Based on 2000 census)

• An estimate of 500,000 illegal immigrants per year

• Based on projections, Latinos/as will make up one-third of the U.S. population by 2060

What explains the Latinos/as population surge?

• High birthrates and fertility rates

• Immigration patterns

• The average age of the population

Composition of the Latinos/as Community• Origins of Mexico, Cuba, Pueto Rico, and

South and Central Americas

• 66% of this group are of Mexican origin (30 million)

• Brazilian Descent, native language Portuguese

• Mexican descent, Spanish and Indian backgrounds

• Pueto Ricans, Spanish descent

• Cubans, Spanish and Black descent

• Latin America, varying mixtures of Spanish, Japanese, Italian, and Black

Characteristics of Latinos/as• The vast majority of Latino/a populations are Spanish

speaking and Catholic

• Tend to be younger– Below thirty and nine years younger than Caucasian Americans

• Tend to be poorer– 40% of Hispanic children live below the poverty line

• Less educated– Approximately 30% leave high school before graduation– The highest rate of all minorities

• More consistently unemployed or relegated to unskilled/semiskilled jobs

Family and Cultural Values

• Importance of the family (familialismo)

• Emphasis on interdependence and cooperation (Simpatico)

• Emphasis on the worth and dignity of the individual (Personalismo)

• Value the spiritual side of life

• Acceptance of life as it exists

The Latino/a Family• Family roles and duties are highly structured

• Respect is given to the male, the elderly, the parent

• The following are expected of children:– Obedience– Contribute to family finances– Care for younger siblings– Act of parental surrogates

The Latino/a Family• The following are expected of males:

– Exhibit strength– Dominance– Provide for the family

• The following are expected of females:– Nurturing– Submit themselves to males– Self-sacrifice

• Gender Roles:– Children are socialized into these roles early– Boys are given more freedom than girls and are encouraged to

be aggressive and manly– Girls are sheltered and restricted as they grow older

Latino/a Schooling Context• Cultural context has been a major obstacle for low

academic achievement– Low student expectations– Pervasive poverty– Language barriers– Teacher cultural sensitivity

• Myths to overcome– Latinos/as are biologically less capable of learning– Latinos/as tend to be less invested in education