1. Cultural Strengths and Challenges Given by: Jose Tamez
Counseling Latinos
Cultural Strengths and Challenges
Given by:
Jose Tamez

2. Who are Latinos?
Descendants of people whose origin is found in the Spanish-speaking countries of North and South America
Dominican Republic, Argentina, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Ecuador, etc.
Live in the U.S.
Other terms used to describe themselves:
Mexican, Cuban, Hispanic, American

3. Latinos are largest minority group (16%) 50.5 million Hispanic/Latinos
Statistics
Latinos are largest minority group (16%)
50.5 million Hispanic/Latinos
~60% Mexican
~9% Puerto Rican
~4% Cuban
~16% Central/South American
25% of Latino adults are undocumented

4. Cubans in Florida
Puerto Ricans-Northeast
Mexican-Americans in many cities
Education
40% no high-school diploma
14% Bachelor’s degree
~20% less than 9th grade education

5. Cultural values & characteristics
Development/maintenance of interpersonal relationships
Large network of family (includes relatives & friends)
Respect & tradition
Cooperation among family members

6. Father=responsibility Children=obedience Godparents=resourcefulness
Key roles:
Grandparents=wisdom
Mother=self-denial
Father=responsibility
Children=obedience
Godparents=resourcefulness

7. Implications-Cultural values
Place other’s needs first
Exhaust family resources before seeking outside help
Many familial obligations create stress
Family responsibilities take precedence over outside concerns
Older children take care of siblings

8. Households of 5+ members
Family Structure
Households of 5+ members
Children obey & not involved in decision making
Adolescents help with family finances
Parents take care of children into adulthood
Marriage & children early
Emphasis on activities involving family and not just couple

9. Implications-Family Structure
Consider hierarchy & how decisions are made
Conflicts due to differing views of expectations for family members
Clashes in cultural values and societal expectations/ help them negotiate both
Help them be loyal to family w/out compromising own acculturation

10. Gender Role Expectations
Machismo-men expected to be strong, dominant, provider
Marianismo-women expected to be submissive, self- sacrificing, nurturing
Family members-obedience

11. Sources of conflict-Males
1) Lack of confidence in areas of authority with individuals/agencies outside of family 2) Feelings of isolation and depression from need to be strong 3) Conflicts over need to be consistent and demand obedience

12. Source of conflict-Women
Undue expectations in traditional roles
Anxiety over not living up to standard
Inability to express feelings of anger
Once exposed to dominant culture, question whether should be submissive and self- sacrificing…

13. Implications-Gender roles
Explore adherence to traditional/gender roles
Some conflict if woman employed and man not
Don’t impose your belief of gender equality in relationships
If Latina seeks more independence, inform of possible consequences on family & community

14. Spiritual & Religious values
Religion often very important
Prayers to saints or God relieves stress
Fatalismo-some things are inevitable…must accept them
Might make them seem passive in overcoming problems
Indigenous healing practices
Some believe that mental illness caused by evil spirits

15. Indigenous practices
Used when: feel that evil surrounds us, when we don’t feel well, or simply to improve overall well- being… Cleansing The Evil eye

16. Educational characteristics
~40% no regular high-school diploma
90% of dropouts never attain GED
Can’t attend college, join military or attend vocational programs
Dropout reasons:
Limited English proficiency
More than half of homes use Spanish
High pregnancy rates for Latinas
+50% one child before age 20
But: college enrollment rose 70% between

17. Cultural Strengths Most Latinos raised in 2 parent households
Extended family support
Familismo-connectedness among family
Personalismo-respectful and cooperative communication style
Simpatico-relational style that emphasizes social harmony
Strong system of spiritual and religious beliefs

18. Specific challenges High rate of alcohol use
1. Stigma associated with mental illness
High rate of alcohol use
Depressive systems common, especially among women
Psychological distress seen as weakness
2. Acculturation conflicts
Societal values different than their own
*Healthiest orientation: BICULTURAL-don’t completely reject or accept the mainstream culture

19. Anti-immigrant sentiment: many afraid of deportations
3. Racism and Discrimination
Anti-immigrant sentiment: many afraid of deportations
Increased racial profiling
4. Linguistic issues
Conduct assessment in client’s primary language
Interpret assessment within sociocultural context

20. ¡A CONVERSAR! (Let’s Discuss!)
Questions
0-1.10/ What are the possible consequences of Latinos staying at home until they get married?
1.40-/ Don’t we all discriminate? Is it ever appropriate?

21. 3. 4.20-4.55/ Have you ever experienced a subtle “hate crime?”
/ How would you help someone who is having issues with their identity, especially if they are bicultural?
Additional resources:
Latino values:

22. EL FIN!
GRACIAS!