Racial and Ethnic Families: Strengths and Stresses Chapter 5

Increasing Diversity of U.S. Families Assimilation: Conformity of ethnic group members to culture of dominant group, including intermarriage. Cultural pluralism: Maintaining aspects of one’s original culture, including language, while living peacefully with host culture. Acculturation: Adopting language, values, beliefs, and roles of host culture. Newcomers merge with host culture in most ways

Assimilation

Cultural pluralism

Acculturation

Changes in Immigration Percent of U.S. population that was foreign born: 1900 ~15% 2008 ~11% Origin of Immigrants to the U.S. 1900: 85% from Europe, 2% from Latin America and Asia 2008: 13% from Europe, 81% from Latin America and Asia

Consequences for (Illegal) Immigrant Families Fear that parent(s) will be arrested and/or deported Family Break Up Parent(s) arrested and/or deported Children drop out of school to work Who cares for children when parents deported

Minority Group Minority Group Lacks Power Not the number of people Minority group: Treated differently or unequally because of physical or cultural characteristics: Gender Sexual orientation Religion Skin color Minority Group Lacks Power Not the number of people The amount of power

Prejudice & Discrimination Prejudice: Attitude Preconceived judgment or opinion (usually negative) Discrimination: Behavior Treating people unequally or unfairly

Prejudice Levels of prejudice Cognitive level (the thought) Emotional level (the feeling) Action level (probability of behavior)

Discrimination Kinds of discrimination: Verbalization Avoidance Exclusion Physical attack Genocide

Race and Ethnicity Racial group: Share physical characteristics viewed as socially important Ethnic group: Identify with common national origin or cultural heritage: English, Italian, Asian Racial-ethnic group: Distinctive physical and cultural characteristics

African American Families Family structure Single parent families more common 50% children live with one parent (mother) Economic Young black males-- High unemployment rates Husbands and wives Problems tied to economic stability

African American Families Grandparent headed families Grandparents raising grandchildren Approximately 20% of black families U.S. average is 10%

African American Families Gender Roles Egalitarian family patterns Share power More likely than white couples to share household chores Not necessarily equally

African American Families Parents and Children: Parents emphasize self-control and success in school Socialization—Cope with racism Absent fathers Black family, Bill Cosby http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/vod/JJE05

Strengths of African American Families Strong kinship bonds Ability to adapt to outside pressures Strong work ethic Determination to succeed in education Spirituality

Unemployment Rates by Race & Gender

10/17 American Indian Families Heterogeneous 530 Tribes Living on or off reservation 70% live off reservation 27% living below poverty line 13% of white only Extended families common Especially among those living on reservations

American Indian Families Studies of relationship between husbands and wives: Unequal sharing of household duties Both husbands & wives felt competent: Solving family problems Coping with everyday issues

American Indian Families Parents and Children Children important family members Children taught respect for authority Listen and do not interrupt

Native American Families Emphasize: Cooperation Sharing Integrity Generosity Harmony with nature Spirituality

American Indian Families Grandparents and other Elders Old age is “badge of honor” Elders traditional central role in family decision making Children taught to respect elders Emphasis on family unity & cooperation

Grandparents Grandparents have important roles in children’s lives “Cultural conservators” take grandchildren to tribal meetings Powwow: Dance, sing, socialize, and honor American Indian culture Provide childcare

American Indian Families Mental Health Depression & Suicide Alcoholism Alcohol related violence & crime

Suicide Rates by Race/Ethnicity and Gender

American Indian Families Economic Well Being 1 out of 4 American Indians lives below poverty level Higher jobless rates than other groups Unemployment 50-90% on many reservations Casinos create jobs and economic stability for some Indians

American Indian Family Strengths “Relational bonding” (collaborative relationships) Values: Respect & Generosity Harmony and balance Community needs above individual needs Spirituality Animals, plants, and other environmental elements

Latino/Hispanic Families Gender Roles Machismo & marianismo Parenting--women Mothers and fathers caring & affectionate with children Children: Obedient, honest, and respectful Family Structure 2/3 of children live in two parent families Divorce more likely now than in 1970s New immigrants live with family sponsors

Latino/Hispanic Families About 20% of families live below poverty line Recent immigrants low wage jobs and poverty Middle class families increasing Familism-Family relationships over individual well being Large extended family networks Strengthen cultural ties=Send children “home” to spend summers with relatives

Strengths of Latino families Resilience Adaptability Family networks Familism= Family first

Asian American Families Chinese largest Asian American group, followed by Filipino and Asian Indians Family structures vary: Asian American households likely extended rather than nuclear families Female-headed households less common Husbands and wives follow traditional gender roles

Asian American Families Filial piety Respect and Obedience toward parents Emphasis on Familism Family more important than individual Strong emphasis on education “The model minority” A stereotype

Asian American Family Strengths Stable households Close knit families Emphasis on success & education

Middle Eastern Families Middle East includes about 30 countries Similar values and attitudes about family life Most Middle Eastern children live with both parents

Middle Eastern Families Divorce frowned upon Marriage patterns endogamous Favor marriage between cousins in some groups Marriage rarely based on “romantic love”

Middle Eastern Families Men & women culturally prescribed gender & family roles Change: More women work outside home Parents & children strong bonds Since 9/11/01, Middle Eastern families experienced more discrimination and prejudice in U.S.

Strengths of Middle Eastern Families Strong family ties Strong ethnic identities Extended kin networks

Racial-Ethnic Intermarriage Number of people who identify as more than one race increasing Especially in younger age groups Racial-ethnic intermarriage increased 1980--3.2% 2012-- 4.8 million, 1 in 12 couples (8%)

Racial-Ethnic Intermarriage Black men more than twice as likely to intermarry compared to Black women In 2010: Nearly 1/4 (25%) of recently married Black males married outside their race 9% of recently married Black females married outside their race (The Pew Research Center)

Racial-Ethnic Intermarriage African Americans who married a White spouse more likely to be college educated than those who married within group 14.5% White-Black couples both attended college 10.2% of African-American couples college educated

Increase in Intermarriages 5 Reasons: Proximity Availability of potential spouses Acculturation Upward mobility Changing attitudes

Future of Diversity in America 1 of 3 Americans: Will come from a “minority” background Euro Americans: Become “numerical minority” Compared with minority groups Interracial marriages: Continue to increase