Racial Ethnic Groups

[Name of the course]

Racial Ethnic Groups

Introduction

United Sates of America can be categorized as one of the most diversified places in the world, housing many ethnic populations. Focusing on the racial ethnic groups, they make an aggregate of 51.9 million in number if only the Latino's are taken into account. The huge number makes its connection to more than twenty racial groups hailing from Hispanic origin. Out of such a huge number, the domination category without any doubt is the Mexicans, crossing more than two/thirds from the total Latinos living in US. Having their roots in Mexico, these people are one of the largest ethnic groups in US. Taking the second number are the Puerto Ricans, another Hispanic group, who are aggregate 5 million in population with their majority residing in Columbia (American Community Survey, 2008). The rest of the names include Cubans, Central Americans, Venezuelans, Ecuadorians, Guatemalans and other dominant groups.

Discussion

Mexicans

Mexican Americans form the largest population in the US in the case of Hispanic population that resides there. Originally farmers, who migrated from their native land to the US in order to live an earning by working in fields and orchards. From that time, their status is categorized as immigrants instead of migrants.

Mexicans tend to speak Spanish as their first language and English is their second language, which they usually learn through special language classes in order to be fluent in the language. Typical Mexican Americans cannot be related to typical Americans as there values are somewhat different from them. They differ in main aspects of their culture and heritage which includes their norms, language, cultural settings and etiquettes. These constructs are vital part of any ethnic group and it is on these bases that a distinction arises between them and the other groups.

The Mexican family structure is different from that of local Americans or other Hispanic racial groups in a sense that they give great importance to it. The women are a significant member of the household but the reigns are in the hands of the male members, making Mexicans a patriarchal ethnic group. Just as the nuclear family is of extreme importance, the extended family is equally important for them. The families are also large in number, with many children and relations, living in close knit structures.

The religion that Mexicans follow is Catholicism and they tend to hold a great value for religious teachings and are apt followers. The political scenario on the other hand was not much into their grasp until a member of the community was appointed as the Attorney General if the US; Alberto Gonzales. Since their inclusion in politics, many names have come and gone, making the Mexicans an integral part of the US.

Financially the Mexican Americans are not as strong as other Hispanic racial groups and Americans creating a gap of economy between them. One of the major issues listed for this is the language, but many other factors play an important part in it.

Puerto Ricans

The ethnic group ...