Hispanic Culture

By: Bridget Bobovnyik, Maryna Farynets, Tara Williams, Ava LaGamba, Kailee Shumaker
 Culture
● In the United States, being Hispanic is defined as a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, south
American, central American or Spanish origin and having Spanish as their primary language.

● As of 2019, there are over 60.47 million Hispanics in the United States, which makes up 18% of the
population.

● The top three states that have the highest Hispanic population are: New Mexico (48.79%), Texas
(39.34%) and California (39.02%). West Virginia has the lowest Hispanic population in the United
States (1.56%).
 Religion
● Most Hispanics/Latinos believe that miracles are just as real today as they were in ancient times and that true believers are rewarded with health and wealth.

● Religion is a very important aspect in daily life.

● 44% of Hispanics attend church weekly, 69% of Hispanics pray weekly.

● Almost half of Hispanic/Latino Catholics say that the bible is the literal word of god and that Jesus will return to earth sometime throughout their life.

● Latino evangelicals, attend religious services more frequently, take part in prayer groups and read the bible more frequently than Latino Catholics do.

● Latino Catholics are more likely to display religious objects in their house and pray directly to the saints or the Virgin Mary.
 Traditions/celebrations: I
● Quinceanera
○ A females 15th birthday celebration, with family & friends
○ Represents a female going from a girl to a woman.
○ Female dances with her father or boyfriend.

● Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead)

○ Festive celebration to honor the dead on the 1st & 2nd of November.
○ First day (Nov. 1st)- dedicated to children.
○ Second day (Nov. 2nd)- dedicated to adults.
○ Decorations of flowers (Marigolds) & pictures of the deceased, along with food
and sugar skulls.
○ Wear colorful, bright clothing and makeup.
 Traditions/Celebrations: II
● Carnival (Mardi Gras)
○ Carnival celebrations are from late January to early March, leading up until lent.

○ For Hispanics, it is the final chance to celebrate before lent.

○ There is dancing and music.

○ They dress up and wear masks.

 Hispanic Customs
● “Provecho”
○ Meaning- wishing someone a good meal.
○ You say it when- you sit down to eat a meal with family or friends or
when you know someone is about to eat or on their way to eat.

● Siestas
○ An afternoon rest between 2pm and 5pm
○ includes - 3hr lunch, 3hr nap or 3hr family time

● “La Mordida”
○ “La Mordida” is a birthday song
○ The birthday boy or girl has to take a bite of cake without the use of
their hands while the song is sung to them. Usually ending up with
their face smashed in the cake
 Hispanic Superstitions
● “La Mal Sal”
○ “La Mal Sal” means- back luck or bad salt.

○ Hispanics will not take the salt if it is passed directly to them because they see it as
receiving someone else's bad luck. Instead, the salt shaker has to be sat on the table
before picking it up.

● Sweeping over feet

○ Some hispanic traditions say that if you sweep a broom over someone's feet, they
will never get married.

● Cutting a baby's hair

○ Some hispanics believe that if you cut a baby’s hair before they learn to walk, they
will never learn how to.

○ They also believe that if you want your baby to learn to speak spanish, do not cut
their hair until after their first birthday.
 Family Roles & Organization: I
● The father is the head of the household
● He also has the responsibility of providing and protecting his family as well as being the disciplinary
figure
● The mother is also looked up to and respected by all members of the family
● Mothers are independent and are “the main source of strength that continuously holds the family
nucleus together” (Rodriguez, 2002).
● The mother is considered to be the caregiver of the family and is expected to take care of both their
offspring and parents
● Hispanics living in the U.S. adopted our belief that men and women are equal and deserve equal rights
and acknowledgement. This is different in most Hispanic countries where they believe in machismo
● Parenthood is strongly prioritized over marriage. Their children are the main priorities
● The father is at the top of the family hierarchy with the mother closely behind
 Family Roles & Organization: II
● The goals of the parents are to raise their children to grow up to be like them
● Traditions and roles are passed down to the children
● The daughter grows up to be like the mother
● The son grows up to be like the father
● Hispanics in the U.S. live very family-oriented lives
● The elderly also share the responsibility of taking care of the children and home
● A healthcare decision isn’t usually made before first seeing if the extended family can
help
● The mother determines if the family member needs medical attention, the male of the
household is the decision maker and gives them permission whether or not to go.
● Hispanic people prefer a house where both parents are involved, but due to immigrant
single mothers being on their own, the parents and extended family will step in and help
● Substance abuse is frowned upon but drinking at gatherings is normal
 Family Roles & Organization: III
● Children are taught at a young age to consider the
needs of others and to develop relationships
● “Parents expect them to be responsible and
cooperative and teach them not to talk too much to
authority figures and to exhibit emotional restraint”
(Clark, 2018).
● Strong connection to the extended family
● “Elderly grandparents sometimes live with the
family, and there is frequent visiting among family
members” (Clark, 2018).
● Extended family plays an important role in offering
support to the immediate family
 Pregnancy and Childbearing Practices: I
● Birthing partner is typically the mother-in-law

● Labored women often yell out as a form of controlled breathing

● Pregnancy is thought to be a “hot” condition that rids the body of heat.

Therefore, women often drink warm liquids rather than ice water.

● Pregnant women often avoid raising their hands over the head for fear
the cord could wrap around the baby’s head

● Many women fear epidurals and believe they are life threatening-- a
vaginal birth and drug free birth is prefered
Pregnancy and Childbearing Practices: II
● Pregnancy is seen to be a normal condition and therefore
often avoid prenatal care
● New mothers avoid the cold, exercise, and showering for at
least 6 weeks postpartum--sponge baths are preferred.
● Some women eat less during the last few weeks of
pregnancy to avoid a large baby or difficult labor
● Women often avoid prenatal vitamins for a belief they get
all necessary vitamins through their diet
 Nutrition I: Food
● The contemporary diet of Hispanics in the United States is heavily influenced by the traditional dietary
patterns of their countries of origin, as well as by the dietary practices of the adopted communities in which
they live.
● Typically, hispanics prepare meals and eat together with their family members.
● Their diet consists of:
● Hispanics, especially Mexican Americans, have a
○ Rice lower intake of total fat and a higher intake of
dietary fiber compared to non-Hispanic white
○ Some fruits populations, with much of the dietary fiber coming
from legumes.
○ Beef
● In general, Mexican Americans and other Hispanic
○ Whole milk
subgroups are low in many of the same
○ Eggs and legumes micronutrients as the general population, with
intakes of vitamin E, calcium, and zinc falling
below Recommended Daily Allowances.
Nutrition II: Risks

● The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is two to

three times higher in Hispanic Americans than in non-
Hispanic whites
● Much of the increased risk of diabetes experienced by
Hispanic Americans is believed to be attributable to the
changing lifestyle that accompanies the acculturation
process, including the changing quality of the Hispanic
diet and the adoption of more sedentary habits
 Communication: I
● The U.S. has the second largest population of Spanish speakers
● In the United States, Hispanics break down language into 3 groups
○ 36% is bilingual (English and Spanish)
○ 25% mainly speak in English
○ 38% mainly speaks in Spanish
● In Hispanic culture, verbal and nonverbal communication is emphasized in
interpersonal relationships
 Communication: II
Nonverbal:

● With Hispanics/Latinos, eye contact is avoided with health professionals to show respect. For some, eye
contact can be related to receiving evil spirits or the “evil eye”
● When patients are nodding their heads, it does not mean they are agreeing to what is being said. This mean
that they are listening. Silence often indicates disagreement or misunderstanding.

Greetings:

● Older patients prefer to be addressed as “Senor” or “Senora” rather than by their first names.
● Because when women get married they will have hyphenated surnames including their father’s following
the mother’s. It is important to ask how she would like to be addressed to be respectful .
 Health Care Practices: I
● Hispanics have lower access to health care

● Hispanics are less likely than whites to have health

insurance coverage or a usual source of health care.

● Hispanics have lower rates of preventive services.

● Hispanic children and working-age adults also have

fewer physician visits than non-Hispanic whites

● Hispanics have lower mortality rates but higher rate of

many chronic diseases.
 Health Care Practices: II
● Some Hispanics/Latino healing traditions include
hispanic culture has several normative values that must be
curanderismo. Curanderos are traditional healers. They
recognized in clinical settings:
distinguish between “hot” and “cold” illnesses and occasionally
between natural and sorcery-related diseases. ● Simpatía (kindness)
○ Emphasizes politeness and conflict avoidance.
● Patients may seek out the care of brujos or brujas (wizards or ● Personalismo (friendliness)
witches) ○ Can be achieved by asking about the patient’s his/
her family.
● Patients should always be asked if they use alternative therapies. ● Respeto (respect)
○ Implies attentive concern for the patient and respect
● Other healing specialties include: of his/ her personhood and age, especially if the
○ patient is older.
Yerberas (herbalists)
○ Older adults should be addressed as señor or señora
○ Hueseros (bone setters) rather than by their first names
● Modestia (modesty)
○ Parteras (midwives) ○ Physical exposure should be negotiated as the
examination warrants.
○ Sobradores (similar to physical therapists). ○ A chaperone is often appreciated if a same-sex
physician is not available.
 Health Care Practices: IV
● Many women fear epidurals and believe they are life
threatening-- a vaginal birth and drug free birth is prefered
● Pregnancy is seen to be a normal condition and therefore often
avoid prenatal care
● Traditionally patriarchal role is given to the father or oldest
male to speak, as women are expected to be submissive.
● When possible and given consent, make sure to include the
family in medical discussions regarding the patient.