Research / Report / Statistic Data

Latin identities fall between the cracks among generations, as relations of origins fade away.

We will explore the statistics of Hispanics' lifestyle and how its spiraling down when it comes to living in the United States, where Hispanic heritage is fading from their cultural practices.

by Luis Armando Garcia

Who am I?

According to the Pew Research Center, across generations, Hispanics or Latinos are increasingly less likely to self-identify with their country of origin. The graph presented by the Pew Research Center shows that among foreigners ,(refers to people born outside of the United States), a large percentage identify as Hispanic. However, as we reach the fourth generation, almost half of Hispanics/Latinos identify as non-Hispanic or non-Latin.

what am I?

On the graph depicting immigrant generations and U.S. Latinos, the chart illustrates the proportions of individuals identifying as Latin/Hispanic. A common struggle is evident among the second and third generations, whereas those born abroad take pride in their roots.

Where I'm from?

When it comes to identifying their place of origin, individuals born in foreign countries often mention their country of origin or heritage. In the second generation, they tend to self-identify as Latinos or Hispanics. By the third generation, individuals typically identify themselves as Americans.

How language plays in are role.

Does language play a part in identifying as Hispanic? The three graphs below presented by the Pew Research Center indicate that speaking Spanish is not crucial in being identified as Hispanic across all generations. Those who speak Spanish welcome those who do not, and individuals with Spanish last names say that speaking Spanish does not necessarily make someone Latino. Additionally, most generations encourage their children to learn Spanish as a way to stay connected to their family, friends, and loved ones. However, a trend similar to the first chart shows that each generation places lower priority on speaking Spanish than the previous generation. Lastly, English became a profoundly dominant language among Spanish speakers, and on this chart, it shows the opposite trend, with even non-Hispanics, or at least 90%, being dominated by the English language

Branching out from the family tree.

What do non-Hispanics view themselves as when they have ancestry of Hispanic origin? The Pew Research Center indicates from their findings that only 17% of non-Hispanics would consider themselves to be Hispanic. However, 81% do not consider themselves Hispanic, even when having a bloodline that ties to the motherland. Among those who said no, 27% mentioned that their ancestry is too far back, 16% have an upbringing/no contact with relatives, 15% say they don’t have any cultural link, 12% mentioned that they don’t look Hispanic, and 9% identify as American.

the memories that brings us together.

What is heritage without stories of one's culture? Across generations, parents are sharing fewer tales of their pride in their roots. Those who self-identify as Latinos often talk about their struggles and achievements; however, as we move to the next generation, this discussion slightly dwindles. In contrast, among those who identify as non-Hispanic, 53% never share pride in their roots, and only 15% often talk about their heritage.

Growing up in culture

What makes childhood so special growing up in our community is are cultural. The practices like Quinceañeras, Cinco de Mayo, or Día de los Muertos. Across all generations, those who self-identify as Hispanic or Latin, as much as 53%, celebrate these traditions. However, by the time we reach the third generation and higher, that number diminishes to 35%. For those who are non-Hispanic but still have Hispanic ancestry, only 9% celebrate these traditions.

To feel connect in a nation.

To feel connected to a nation, among those who self-identify as Hispanic, 72% of them feel connected to their origins across generations. Specifically, 82% of the foreign-born are more connected compared to the third generation, where only 44% feel connected. In contrast, people who self-identify as non-Hispanics report that only 34% feel connected to family origins.

The benefits of being Hispanic/Latin

When it comes to living in the US with Hispanic ancestry, according to the Pew Research Center, only 34% of those who identify as Hispanics said that being Hispanic in the US was an advantage. There is a slight difference in generations: for foreigners born in the US, 28% considered it an advantage to be Hispanic in the United States. This number increases by the second generation; however, when we reach the third generation or higher, only 24% of them said being Hispanic was an advantage. The percentage is even lower for non-Hispanics, standing at 11%.

Can looks deceive?

When it comes to good looks, do other perceive us as Hispanic or Latin? When we walk by, those who self-identify as Hispanics are most often identified 69% of the time. Those who are foreign-born get identified 78% of the time, and it decreases as we go further to each generation; by the third generation or higher, 46% would be identified as Hispanics. For those who are non-Hispanics only 59% would be describe as white. While, only 7% of them would be identified as Latin or Hispanic.

To walk a mile in our shoes

When it comes to discrimination, only 39% of self-identifying Hispanics said that they felt discriminated against because of their background. As we approach the third generation, only 29% of them experience discrimination against their background, while those who are non-Hispanic only dealt with 7%, and a whopping 87% of them have never experienced discrimination in their lifetimes.

Hispanic/Latin social networking

Family is not just blood; it is the bond you make along your journey. Those who self-identify as Hispanic, 64% of them have most or all of their friends as other Latin or Hispanic individuals. As we approach the third generation, 37% of them say that all or most of their friends are Hispanic. For those who self-identify as non-Hispanic, only 16% of them have Hispanic friends.

whos the neighborhood?

Living within the community, those who self-identify as Hispanic usually live in Hispanic neighborhoods; only 39% of them would say they live mostly with Hispanics. For the foreign-born, 41% of them say they live in Hispanic neighborhoods. As we approach the third generation or higher, 30% of them would say they live with Hispanic neighbors. When it comes to non-Hispanics, the figure is 17%.

References

Lopez, Mark Hugo. “Appendix A: References.” Pew Research Center’s Hispanic Trends Project, Pew Research Center, 20 Dec. 2017, www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/2017/12/20/appendix-references-hispanic-identity/.

Alba, Richard. 2016. “The Likely Persistence of a White Majority; How Census Bureau statistics have misled thinking about the American future.” Washington, D.C.: The American Prospect. January.

Krogstad, Jens Manuel. 2017. “U.S. Hispanic population growth has leveled off.” Washington, D.C.: Pew Research Center. August.

Pew Hispanic Center and Kaiser Family Foundation. 2002.“2002 National Survey of Latinos Summary of Findings.” Washington, D.C.: December.

Pew Research Center. 2015. “Multiracial in America: Proud, Diverse and Growing in Numbers.” Washington, D.C.: June.

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