Diversity ProjectRaising Baby
Briar Cliff University
Social Work 320
Nari Brantley
Why Choose The Latino
Culture?
• In NW Iowa there is a strong Hispanic/Latino
influence.
• I have taken five years of Spanish.
• I have always had an interest in the
Hispanic/Latino culture.
• I anticipated that finding information about this
culture would be fairly easy and easy to
understand.
Background of Puerto Rico
In my journal entries, I made
references to the country of
Puerto Rico. I thought that it
would be helpful to add some
background information
5,325 sq.
feet
about that country.
Tropical
ClimateAverage
Temp=83
degrees
Fahrenheit
c. 7000-3000
BCE=Casimiroid
people arrived
from Central
America
99%-Hispanic
or Latino
persons
0.7%-White
Persons
0.1%-Black or
African
American
0.1%Asian
persons
Top Agriculture-Sugarcane, coffee, pineapples,
plantains, bananas, livestock, and chickens.
Top Manufacturing-Medicines, electronics,
clothing, food products, medical equipment.
Stille, D.R. (2009). Puerto Rico. New York: Children’s Press
Hola! Mi llamo, Leonor. I’m 27 years old, and have been married
to my husband, Fernando, for two years. We are of Latino heritage.
Our ancestors originally came from Puerto Rico. Our family practices
Roman Catholic.
My purpose for this blog is to share about my family. I just gave
birth to our first child, Adelina three weeks ago. I want to be able to
share motherhood with fellow Latinas, and be a support group for
each other.
I gave birth to our daughter at 40 weeks via natural child birth.
She weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces and was 21 inches long. I had no
complications during my pregnancy other than your typical heart burn
and I was very uncomfortable in the last few weeks of pregnancy. My
mother and my mid-wife were present during the birth. My husband
and I are so happy with our new bundle of joy.
Right now, Adelina, is waking up every 2 hours during the night.
I’m able to breast feed with ease. I have been going back and forth
with using cloth diapers, but for right now we have decided to use the
disposable kind. My mother lives with us, and has been a big help.
Fernando’s mother, siblings, and my siblings have been over to the
house daily and helping me with chores and cooking. It feels so nice
for someone else to be doing the cooking.
Well, this is it for now. I look forward from hearing from fellow
Latina mothers! I hope we can provide each other with advice and
support!
Adios! Buenas noches!
Pregnancy & Infancy
•
Hispanic women in the US who have generally had the highest fertility rates in the
country are choosing to have fewer children. –This is thought to be caused by that
the attitudes have changed since the days when older generations of Latinos prized
large families, and more closely followed Roman Catholic teachings (which forbid
artificial contraception), and higher education.
•
Some Hispanic women avoid foods that are considered to be "hot" by their culture
because it is believed to cause the child to be born with spots and to be more
susceptible to rashes: i.e. chilies and coffee.
•
As the culture is very respectful of its elders, women will often look to mothers,
aunts, and grandmothers for advice on all topics both during pregnancy and
otherwise
Older generations of Hispanic woman (especially in rural areas) frequently have
their children at home with only a midwife present; however, hospital birthing is
considered to be more safe.
Cloth diapers might also be favored as the plastic on disposable diapers is believed
to be bad for the baby's skin
•
•
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/01/health/us-birthrate-dips-especially-for-hispanics.html?_r=0
http://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/nursing/RNHispanic10.html
Hola! We are approaching a very important birthday of Adelina’s! She
will be turning 5 years old next week! My family, and her father’s
family will all come together Saturday evening to eat, dance, and be
merry. Tradition is very important in the Latino culture. We have
taught Adelina the Spanish word respeto, which means respect in
English. This is the most valued trait in our culture. In order to have
respect, one must possess it, and then you can fully respect other
people. Adelina will begin school soon and it is important that she
learn respect before she is integrated into the classroom with her
little peers.
We will celebrate Adelina’s birthday, and will set aside dishes for our
deceased love ones. This symbolizes that we still acknowledge them
even though they have crossed to the other side. Our deceased loved
ones are there with us in spirit celebrating Adelina’s birthday. Adelina
has made all of the normal milestones of every 5 year old. Adelina
loves to color, sing songs, and dance of course!
For her birthday party, as part of the Latina culture, we
will have tortillas, which is a maize-based dish. Maize is espanol for
corn. My mother, Fernando’s mother, and I will spend all day Saturday
preparing special dishes for my Adelina’s party. It is part of the Latina
culture to have music during the party. We will also be serving rum
and coffee for beverages. The music of Latina culture is energetic,
and is heavily influenced by the African drum beats and rhythms. In
our culture, we do not believe in an end time for birthday parties.
When we sent out invitations to Adelina’s friends, we did not put it an
end date. The birthday party will start at 3:00 PM and will go until
everyone is tired of the party!
Adelina and her friends will have a piñata that will be
filled with spicy, sweet Mexican candy. Afterwards, the children will
play in the back yard until their sugar high is done!
I must go and do some last minute shopping for this
special day. I hope to get back to you soon and I will let you know
how the birthday party went!
Age 5
Quieter & less active than
4-year olds
• Ability to concentrate has
increased.
• Dress & undress
themselves.
• Children with special
health care needs are
significantly lower for
Hispanic children than
non-Hispanic children.
Learn to cooperate with
others in activities.
• Sentence structure
becomes more
complicated and more
accurate.
• Autism is significantly
higher among nonHispanic children than
Hispanic children.
Pre-operation Though
Period=children begin to
use symbolic
representations for things
in their environment.
• Stage 4 of
Attachment=children
begin showing affection
while seeking the love,
attention and physical
contact they need.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/chronicconditions/chronicconditions.htm
Zastrow, C.H., Kirst-Ashman, K.K. (2013). Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment Belmon, CA:Brooks/Cole.
rhinestones, and the bottom is very poufy. It is
tradition that all of her friends be invited. The
Hola! I have some bad news to
first dance will go to her father, Fernando,
share mi amigos. I have just recently found out
followed by the boys in her grade. It is also
that I’m in Stage 1 of breast cancer. I went in for
tradition to have a tiered caked and food at the
my first mammogram, and that is where they
dance. We have traditional Latino music that all
found a very tiny lump in my left breast. I
of the invitees will enjoy! I think Adelina wants a
apologize that I have been slacking in my blog.
chocolate cake, but I’m trying to convince her to
The last few weeks have been filled with
allow for other flavors as well.
doctor’s appointments and planning for
Adelina’s Quinceañero.
The celebration will first begin at
our church, and then the party will take place at
Mi familia es Bueno. They have
the city hall. Adelina still has to choose three
gathered around me and my husband Fernando
friends to be a part of her Court of Honor. This
during this difficult time. In fact, I think
is a relatively new tradition, as I did not have
Fernando is smothering me a bit.  Breast
this at my quinceranera. I still have to buy my
cancer is the most common cancer of Puerto
beautiful daughter a present. I believe Fernando
Rican women and this scares me. My greatand I will go out and purchase a small diamond
grandmother had breast cancer, and once I
ring for her. It is tradition that the birthday girl
found out, I made my mother and Fernando’s
receives a beautiful gift. Her father Fernando
mother go and get checked out again.
will present the gift to her during the party.
But enough about this! We shall
I will keep you posted on my
get through this like we do everything else.
progress. Fernando and I have not told Adelina
Quinceraneras have been around for centuries.
about my situation. I do not want this to ruin her
It is part of all Hispanic cultures that when a
special day. After her party, we will sit her down
young girls turns 15 years old, we hold a
and let her know. I’m often tired and I hope that
celebration. This celebration is where your
she does not notice. My mother, sister, brother,
daughter is transforming from adolescence to
and Fernando’s family have been great at
womanhood. It is such a beautiful celebration.
coming together and helping me with the
Adelina has picked out a beautiful white dress
cooking and cleaning while I have been taking
that is strapless. Her bodice is covered in
extra naps.
Quinceranera-Adolescent
Stage 4 of Fowler’s
Theory of Faith
Development=Syntheti
c-Conventional Faith.
They have not yet
critically evaluated the
fundamental basis of
their faith.
Moral
Development
Stage 5 of Erikson’s
Psychosocial
Theory=Identity Vs. Role
Confusion. Transition
period from childhood to
adulthood when people
examine the various roles
they play.
Breast cancer
remains the
leading cause
of cancer death
in
Hispanic/Latina
women.
Breast cancer is
the most
common cancer
among
Hispanic/Latina
women.
Hispanic/Latin
a women tend
to be
diagnosed with
later stage
breast cancers
than white
women.
Linked to
ancient Aztec
rites of passage
for young
women.
Defining
moment for
many young
girls.
Rite of passage. Marrying or
committing their life to faith.
http://users.polisci.wisc.edu/LA260/quinceanera.htm
Zastrow, C.H., Kirst-Ashman, K.K. (2013). Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment Belmon, CA:Brooks/Cole
http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/Statistics.html
Hola! Hoy en dia, es un buen dia porque estoy celebrando diez anos sin cancers.
Can you believe it has been 10 years! I’m so excited to be alive today. It is also a special time, because
Adelina has just recently become engaged to a man named Pablo. She has been in a very difficult situation
lately because she has accepted a new job position in Louisiana. Adelina does not want to move, because in
Puerto Rican culture, the children will take care of their elders, which typically involves moving in with them.
I feel like Fernando and I should have never come to the United States. I have tried to keep our Latino culture
in tack, and it has been very difficult. In the process I think that I have Americanized my family.
I have been arguing with Adelina more so than normal. Fernando does not want to see his baby
daughter go, but he is being more open to the thought than I have. I just don’t understand why she would
want to be so far away from her mother. My mother, and Fernando’s mother have been living with us since
we first got married, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I will have to have a conversation with Adelina about my feelings. I do not want this to be even
more difficult for her. Right now, Adelina and I need to focus on planning her wedding. I’m so glad that she
is going to be marrying a Latino man who has made himself successful with his family’s ranches.
It is custom in our culture that a mariachi band, salsa music, and or a Spanish guitarist play at
the wedding. Well, I plan on having all of those for my only daughter’s wedding! I must remember to book
them soon!
Adelina and I have also agreed upon traditional food for her wedding. This will be paella, or
some other seafood, spicy rice, beans, steak with tomatillo sauce and of course sangria! We still have to
work on the plans for the cake.
Just like Adelina’s Quinceranera, we will invite all family members and most of our
neighborhood. We want everyone to share the happiness and union of our family and Pablo’s family.
I will keep you posted about the plans for Adelina’s wedding. Please share with us new Latino
ideas about the wedding if you can!
Adios!
Young Adulthood
•
Extended families are very
important. Members include:
parents, children, cousins, aunts,
uncles, grandparents and even
other community members.
•
Common language-everyday
communication among Hispanic
people is frequently English.
•
Healthiest time of life.
Levinson’s Theories of Life
Structure-Early Life structure for
early adulthood. This is the stage of
“entering the adult world”. During
this phase, a young person
becomes an adult and builds the
entry life structure for adulthood.
•
Lechon AsadoRoasted Pig
Tostones-Fried
Plantains
Arroz con PolloRice with
Chicken
Rumba, tango,
conga, mambo,
cha-cha.
Stille, D.R. (2009). Puerto Rico. New York: Children’s Press
Zastrow, C.H., Kirst-Ashman, K.K. (2013). Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment Belmon, CA:Brooks/Cole
Hola!
Hoy, es no buen dia. Thanksgiving is approaching, and my family is torn apart. I’m trying to put my happy face on, but I
cannot. My mother is in failing health and has been bed ridden for about a month now. They say she is dying of congestive heart
ailure. She spent the previous month in the hospital trying to get stable. They sent her home, and she hasn’t been the same since.
She has been very weak, and relies upon me heavily for all of her daily needs. It is part of our custom to help those in need,
pecially our elders. Fernando has been a big help to me, and I rely upon him emotionally. He has been tender, and understanding. I
feel like this will be our last Thanksgiving with my mother. I want to make this one she will remember in Heaven.
Thanksgiving is not traditionally celebrated in Latin America, but my family has come to embrace and celebrate the
holiday. Along with the classic stuffing, turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes; we also serve up tostones, tamles, guacamole, tortillas,
eans, salsa, and rice dishes. It won’t be the same this year, because usually my mother helps me with the cooking. This year it will
just be Fernando’s mother and I.
I have no idea about Adelina! I don’t know if she is coming home or what is going on. I just found out a week ago that
he and her husband are getting a divorce. I raised her on the basis of marianismo; meaning submissive, self-sacrificing, religious,
nd humble. I also raised her to be hembrismo; meaning to have strength, courage and perseverance. As a wife you are expected to
nforce tradition, morality, religious values, run the household and rear the children. Adelina told me that her husband, Gabriel, is
nting the divorce because he was having an affair with a women who wants to have children. Adelina told me that she wants to get
her career established before rearing children. I don’t know what to think. I feel like this is my fault. I think that my daughter has
become Americanized, and perhaps I didn’t teach her enough about the values of being marianismo and hembrismo?! Our family
ractices Catholicism, and it is not part of the religion to get a divorce. I haven’t told my mother, because I don’t want to upset her.
I haven’t talked to Adelina for a week now after we got into an argument. I felt that she needs to be more submissive,
d try and work things out. I think once I’m done here, I will call her and let her know that I still want her to come home. Regardless
f the situation, I need to support her. I wish my mother was coherent. I would ask her what to do. Family values, tradition, and just
eing together is such an important part to our culture, that I don’t think I can handle Adelina not being here for this Thanksgiving.
Enough of the ramble. I have to remember that those of you reading my blog, you may be going through the same thing.
hanksgiving is the time of year to give thanks to who is in our life. Please don’t take my ranting as me being selfish or not grateful.
Please, if any of you have any advice for me, I would appreciate it. I just think I need someone to talk to about these things. I wish
each and every one of you a blessed Thanksgiving. I will talk to you soon!
Adios!
Middle Adulthood
Hispanics
have higher
rates of
never
marrying;
according to
Census 2000
data.
When a Hispanic
individual is
married to a nonHispanic
individual, their
marriages are
more likely to
end in divorce
than when they
are married to a
Hispanic
individual.
Unknown
research why
67% of
Hispanic
households
consist of a
married
couple.
http://www.healthymarriageinfo.org/research-and-policy/marriage-facts/culture/hispanics-and-latinos/index.aspx#marriage
Hola!
Fernando’s parents have also
been gone for some years now.
Fernando and I have decided
that we will go back to Puerto
Rico for the remainder of our
lives. We both have many
extended family and have been
wanting to go back there for
quite some time.
I have some
news to share each and one of
you. Those of you who have
been with me throughout this
time of my blogging have known
that I have been doing this for
about 40 years now. I have
shared many details of my
family and how our Latino
Since I do not
culture has affected all of my life
have any family or
decisions. I have also have had grandchildren here in United
the pleasure to read feedback, States, it has made the decision
advice, and comradery from that much easier. Fernando and
you. I have enjoyed the time
I will surround ourselves with
that I have spent with the
extended family members. We
people who have followed me
have been graciously been
for many years, and for those of invited to live with Fernando’s
you have haven’t been with us
niece and her husband.
for very long. It is with sadness Fernando plans on helping his
and joy that I let you know that niece’s husband out in the field
I’m retiring from my blogging.
as much as he can, and I will
This has been a difficult
help be a “grandmother” to
situation for me, but I’m now 65 Fernando’s niece’s children.
years old and am ready for the
Fernando and I
next stage of my life.
have lived a very lucky life here
As all of you in the United States. Fernando
know, my daughter passed away
and I were able to gain
about 5 years ago from breast
citizenship and raise our
cancer. My parents as well as
daughter in middle class.
Fernando worked for a factory
for many years and was able to
retire with a pension. I enjoyed
my time as a stay at home
mother, and then I worked as a
secretary in a chiropractor’s
office. Through all of our
tragedies as a family, we were
able to stick together and
strengthen our bond.
I hope that each
and one of you enjoyed my
writings and everything that I
have shared over the years. I
thoroughly enjoyed sharing and
making new friends. I pray that
all of you stay healthy and live a
fulfilling life.
Adios!
Leonor.
Later Adulthood
Latinos are less prepared for retirement among racial and ethnic
groups.
4 out of 5 Hispanic households have less than $10,000 in
retirement savings.
Language barriers are one of the reasons they are not saving.
Sacrifice their own financial needs for their children.
Support extended and immediate families. Aging parents,
children…etc
Immigrant Latinos may be less likely to identify as victims of
elder abuse due to the following factors: they reside with their
families and rely on them for long-term care, avoid shame,
promotes tolerance of family victims and suppresses reporting,
citizenship status, and English proficiency may inhibit reporting
even when fears are overcome.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3396729/
http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2014/03/27/294880072/latinos-live-longer-but-struggle-to-save-enough-forretirement
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryhannon/2012/02/14/why-latinos-arent-saving-for-retirement/
Conclusion
Learning about the Hispanic/Latino culture has made me
realize that family values is such an important aspect to
their culture. I have always wondered the people I have
encounter how they can live far away from their family. I
live about an hour from my mother, and I believe that is a
good distance. I don’t think I could live farther away from
her, but at the same time I don’t think I can handle if she
would live with me. Latino/Hispanic values are
something to be desired. I think it takes a special person
to allow their own and in-law families live with them. For
this culture, it works and it allows for them to thrive in
their own ways.
In my humble opinion, I feel that the Hispanic/Latino
culture is based on love and family. I think that every one
could take a chapter from this culture and learn to be a
more accepting person. It can really make a person
reflect and decide what is really important versus things
that really don’t matter or make an impact on oneself.