Diversity Project-

Raising Baby

Briar Cliff UniversitySocial 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 RicoIn my journal entries, I made references to the country of Puerto Rico. I thought that it would be helpful to add some background information about that country.

c. 7000-3000 BCE=Casimiroid people arrived from Central

America

5,325 sq. feet

99%-Hispanic or Latino persons

0.7%-White Persons

0.1%-Black or African

American0.1%Asian

persons

Top Agriculture-Sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas, livestock, and chickens.Top Manufacturing-Medicines, electronics,

clothing, food products, medical equipment.

Tropical Climate-Average Temp=83 degrees

Fahrenheit

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=0http://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 non-Hispanic 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.

Zastrow, C.H., Kirst-Ashman, K.K. (2013). Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment Belmon, CA:Brooks/Cole.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/chronicconditions/chronicconditions.htm

 

Hola! I have some bad news to share mi amigos. I have just recently found out that I’m in Stage 1 of breast cancer. I went in for

my first mammogram, and that is where they found a very tiny lump in my left breast. I

apologize that I have been slacking in my blog. The last few weeks have been filled with doctor’s appointments and planning for

Adelina’s Quinceañero.

Mi familia es Bueno. They have gathered around me and my husband Fernando

during this difficult time. In fact, I think Fernando is smothering me a bit. Breast

cancer is the most common cancer of Puerto Rican women and this scares me. My great-grandmother had breast cancer, and once I

found out, I made my mother and Fernando’s mother go and get checked out again.

But enough about this! We shall get through this like we do everything else.

Quinceraneras have been around for centuries. It is part of all Hispanic cultures that when a

young girls turns 15 years old, we hold a celebration. This celebration is where your

daughter is transforming from adolescence to womanhood. It is such a beautiful celebration. Adelina has picked out a beautiful white dress

that is strapless. Her bodice is covered in rhinestones, and the bottom is very poufy. It is tradition that all of her friends be invited. The

first dance will go to her father, Fernando, followed by the boys in her grade. It is also

tradition to have a tiered caked and food at the dance. We have traditional Latino music that all of the invitees will enjoy! I think Adelina wants a chocolate cake, but I’m trying to convince her to

allow for other flavors as well.

The celebration will first begin at our church, and then the party will take place at

the city hall. Adelina still has to choose three friends to be a part of her Court of Honor. This is a relatively new tradition, as I did not have this at my quinceranera. I still have to buy my

beautiful daughter a present. I believe Fernando and I will go out and purchase a small diamond ring for her. It is tradition that the birthday girl receives a beautiful gift. Her father Fernando will present the gift to her during the party.

I will keep you posted on my progress. Fernando and I have not told Adelina about my situation. I do not want this to ruin her special day. After her party, we will sit her down and let her know. I’m often tired and I hope that she does not notice. My mother, sister, brother,

and Fernando’s family have been great at coming together and helping me with the

cooking and cleaning while I have been taking extra naps.

Quinceranera-Adolescent

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.

Moral Development

Breast cancer is the most

common cancer among

Hispanic/Latina women.

Breast cancer remains the

leading cause of cancer death

in Hispanic/Latina

women.

Hispanic/Latina 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://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/Statistics.htmlZastrow, C.H., Kirst-Ashman, K.K. (2013). Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment Belmon, CA:Brooks/Colehttp://users.polisci.wisc.edu/LA260/quinceanera.htm

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 Asado-Roasted PigTostones-Fried PlantainsArroz con Pollo-Rice with ChickenRumba, 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 failure. 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, especially 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, beans, 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

she and her husband are getting a divorce. I raised her on the basis of marianismo; meaning submissive, self-sacrificing, religious, and humble. I also raised her to be hembrismo; meaning to have strength, courage and perseverance. As a wife you are expected to enforce tradition, morality, religious values, run the household and rear the children. Adelina told me that her husband, Gabriel, is wanting 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

practices 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,

and 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 of 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 being 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. Thanksgiving 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

67% of Hispanic

households consist of a

married couple.

When a Hispanic individual is

married to a non-Hispanic

individual, their marriages are more likely to end in divorce than when they are married to a

Hispanic individual. Unknown

research why

Hispanics have higher

rates of never marrying;

according to Census 2000

data.

http://www.healthymarriageinfo.org/research-and-policy/marriage-facts/culture/hispanics-and-latinos/index.aspx#marriage

Hola!

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 culture has

affected all of my life decisions. I have also have had the pleasure

to read feedback, advice, and comradery from you. I have enjoyed the time that I have

spent with the people who have followed me for many years, and

for those of you have haven’t been with us for very long. It is with sadness and joy that I let

you know that I’m retiring from my blogging. This has been a

difficult situation for me, but I’m now 65 years old and am ready

for the next stage of my life.

As all of you know, my daughter passed away

about 5 years ago from breast cancer. My parents as well as 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.

Since I do not have any family or grandchildren

here in United States, it has made the decision that much

easier. Fernando and I will surround ourselves with

extended family members. We have been graciously been

invited to live with Fernando’s niece and her husband.

Fernando plans on helping his niece’s husband out in the field

as much as he can, and I will help be a “grandmother” to Fernando’s niece’s children.

Fernando and I have lived a very lucky life here in the United States. Fernando

and I were able to gain citizenship and raise our 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.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2014/03/27/294880072/latinos-live-longer-but-struggle-to-save-enough-for-retirement

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryhannon/2012/02/14/why-latinos-arent-saving-for-retirement/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3396729/

ConclusionLearning 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.