by Jesse Mathewson

Created on: June 19, 2008

I recently decided to research the truth behind the Hispanic cultural influence in these United States and this is the result of research regarding four of the main Hispanic groups in the United States shows many similarities in status and treatment, there are also some minor differences however these are not readily apparent. Family life is extremely important to all Hispanic groups, as is religious orientation and social interactions. What is interesting is with all the apparent similarities one still sees a large cultural divide between the different sub groups. Some of the largest differences between Hispanic Americans and other racial/ social groups are educational and job related.

Mexican Americans are by far one of the largest sub groups of Hispanic Americans in the United States today; they have been defined as migrant workers and field hands for many years. They are family oriented in structure however extremely patriarchal in family arrangement. While women are typically revered they are still treated as second best. Typically Mexican American families are apart of large extended networks. Mexican Americans typically reside in the Southwest regions of the United States. California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas being where the largest portions reside. Religion is also a large part of the typical Mexican Americans life, they are predominately catholic as far as systems are concerned. As far as wages and work ethics, they are typically hard workers. However they still make less than the average white or black American does. "Among third- and higher-generation men in 1989, Mexicans averaged 21 percent lower wages than non-Hispanic whites" Trejo, Stephen (1997) why do Mexican Americans earn low wages?

Many (but not all) Mexican Americans are Bilingual with a significant portion speaking Spanish as a first language and English as a second.

Puerto Ricans are considered to be United States citizens because Puerto Rico is a protectorate of the United States. On a base level Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans are sometimes at odds, this is possibly a result of Puerto Rican status as citizens versus having to emigrate. Family ties are strong here as well, however a large percentage of Puerto Rican families tend to be matriarchal versus the typical Mexican American families patriarchal arrangement. "Forty-percent, now probably more, of Puerto Rican Families are headed by women" Fukuyama, Francis (1993) Immigrants and Family values

Religion is largely diverse as

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