Latino-Americans

1. Latino-Americans

2. Definition of Hispanic Origin • Those who indicated that their origin was Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or some other Hispanic origin. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000)

3. Population Size & Composition In March 2002, there were 37.4 million Hispanics in the United States. (U.S. Census, 2002)

4. Population Data • 1/8 or 12.5% of the total U.S. population is of Hispanic Origin. • Only 26% of the total foreign-born population of Latinos are undocumented. • In 2002, Hispanic purchasing power exceeded $630 billion dollars, and is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2005. (NCLR, 2004), (U.S. Census, 2000), (NCLR, 2004), (U.S. Census, 2002), (HACR, 2002), (Guzman, 2001), (Wildermuth & Gray, 2002)

5. Population Data • The Latino population is the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in Wisconsin: • Between 1990 and 2000 the Hispanic population in WI grew by 107%. • In 2002 Latinos made up 13% of Milwaukee’s population. • 36% of Wisconsin's total Hispanic population lives in Milwaukee. • In 2002, the largest percentage of Latinos in Wisconsin were Mexicans at 71.8%. (U.S. Census, 2000), (U.S. Census, 2002)

6. Education: MPS • The statewide graduation rate was 91% for the 2002-03 school year. • Yet the graduation rate for MPS Hispanic students was only 62% compared to 71% Whites. • The MPS high school dropout rates for Hispanics ranged from 9-10% for the years 2000-2003, compared to 6-7% for Whites. • The retention rate for MPS Hispanic students ranged from 6.4%-9.2% between the years 2000-2003. (MPS, 2003)

7. Latinas & Employment • The unemployment rate for Hispanic women is about twice that of white women. • In 1997, the labor force participation rate of Hispanic women was 55.1%. • Latinas are: • More heavily represented in the service industry, and a large proportion of them are in technical/sales/administrative support roles. • More likely to work in light manufacturing positions and farm occupation than other women. • Underrepresented in managerial/professional roles. • Women of color in general are: • More heavily represented in lower paying jobs. • Paid less in the same job (even when qualifications are the same). • More likely to be part-time or a non-standard employee involuntarily. (Waters & Gimpel, 1995),(U.S. Department of Commerce News, 2000) (Enchautegui, 1997), (Malveaux, 1999)

8. Latinos & Employment • The Latino labor force participation rate is 68.7% (the national Average is 66.4%). • However, many Latinos fill low skilled jobs with inadequate wages/benefits. • The Latino unemployment rate is 7.3% compared to 4.9% for Whites. • Lack of English fluency limits income/employment outcomes: • Hispanics were more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to work in service occupations. • Hispanics, in comparisons to their white counterparts, were almost twice as likely to be employed as operators and laborers (22% vs.12%). • 14% of Hispanics were in managerial professional occupations vs. 33% of non-Hispanic Whites. (Waters & Gimpel, 1995),(U.S. Department of Commerce News, 2000) (Enchautegui, 1997), (Malveaux, 1999)

9. Employment Barriers & Issues Wage and Employment Discrimination • Only 1.8 % of Hispanics are Fortune 1,000 directors. • Only 1.1% of Hispanics are Fortune 1,000 corporate officers. • After controlling for age, education, English language ability, nativity, and state/metro residence a gap of 10% or more was found between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites. • Some Hispanic men continue to earn less than comparably educated White men. • Hispanic men with less than an associate degree earned only 76% of what white males with equivalent education earned. • Undocumented Immigrants who received legalization under the 1986 IRCA amnesty program earned 30% less than their legal counterparts from the same region. (Waters & Gimpel, 1995),(U.S. Department of Commerce News, 2000), (Enchautegui, 1997), (Malveaux, 1999)

10. Insufficient preparation for the labor market Language barriers: Exclusion from/discrimination in services Exacerbation of ethnic tensions The economy Poor employment networks High poverty levels High stress levels Low levels of education Labor market positions Discrimination Marginalization Employment Barriers & Issues (Suleimain, 2003), (Waters & Gimpel, 1995), (NCLR, 2004), (Wildermuth & Gray, 2002)

11. Immigrants Docile Pliable Unintelligent Dirty Unwilling to learn English Unwilling to work as hard as natives General When Latinos speak in Spanish they are "talking about" people Most Latinos are recent immigrants Few Latinos speak English Only low-income, poorly educated Latinos are likely to face racism All Latinos are: Liberal Undependable Illegal residents Work in U.S. but do not pay taxes Late to work and want to leave early Stereotypes & Misconceptions (Burns & Gimpel, 2000), (Wildermuth & Gray, 2002), (Waters & Gimpel, 1995), (HACR, 2002)

12. Values • Strong family orientation • Strong work ethic • More collectivist than individualistic • Relationship building is important • Personal space is typically smaller • Eye contact • More relaxed view of time is prevalent • Major differences in body language/gestures between different Latin American countries • Proud of language/cultural roots VALUES (Suleimain, 2003), (Wildermuth & Gray, 2002)

13. Colleagues Should… • Avoid oversimplifying the intrinsic complexity of this diverse population. • Not assume all Latinos need special help in English or require you to speak slowly – assess. • Not conclude they are being talked about when someone is speaking Spanish. • Consider cultural training and language learning opportunities for all employees. (HACR, 2002), (NCLR, 2004), (Ratcliff, 2003), (Doverspike, etal. 2000), (Osterling, 2001), (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001), (www. hmweekly.com), (Wildermuth & Gray, 2002)

14. Employers Should… • Have greater access to information in Spanish from both written and visual media. • Support mentoring and Hispanic employee networks to boost recruitment/career development efforts. • Use successful minority incumbents in recruiting efforts, and when feasible, deploy minorities as recruiters. • Educate managers/employees about the Hispanic culture and what motivates them. (HACR, 2002), (NCLR, 2004), (Ratcliff, 2003) (Doverspike, etal. 2000) (Osterling, 2001), (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001), (www.hmweekly.com) (Wildermuth & Gray, 2002)

15. Dr. Wilma L. Bonaparte Associate Dean Liberal Arts and Sciences Health OccupationsMilwaukee Area Technical College

16. QUESTIONS or COMMENTS For more information about the Hispanic population of the United States: I. Refer to the Appendices II. Visit the Census Bureau’s Web site http://www.census.gov Click on Subjects A-Z and select H for Hispanic Thank you!!

17. References • Burns, P. and Gimpel, J.G. Economic Insecurity, Prejudicial Stereotypes, and Public Opinion on Immigration Policy. Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 155, No. 2, Summer 2001. • Doverspike, D., Taylor, M.N., Shultz, K.S., and McKay, P.F. (2000). Responding to the Challenge of a Changing Workforce: Recruiting Nontraditional Demographic Groups. Public Personnel Management, Vol. 29, No. 4, p. 445-459. • Enchautegui, M.E. (1997). Latino Neighborhoods and Neighborhood Poverty. Journal of Urban Affairs, Vol. 19, No. 4, p.445-467. • Fry, R. (2003). Hispanic Youth Dropping Out of U.S. Schools: Measuring the Challenge. Pew Hispanic Center, Washington D.C. • Guzman, B. (2001). The Hispanic Population: Census 2000 brief. Washington, DC: U.S. Bureau of the Census. • HACR. (2002). HACR Best Practices: 2002 Hispanic Workforce. • Malveaux, J. (199). Women of Color in the Labor Market. Quarterly Review of Economic and Finance, Vol. 39 p. 663-678. • MPS. (2003). The 2002-2003 District Report Card For the Milwaukee Public Schools. • National Council of La Raza (NCLR). 2004. State of Hispanic America, 2004: Latino Perspectives on the American Agenda. • Osterling, J.P. (2001). Waking the Sleeping Giant: Engaging and Capitalizing on the Socio-cultural Strength of the Latino Community. Bilingual Research Journal, Vol. 25, No. 1 and 2.

18. References • Ratcliff, C. (2003). Strength in Diversity. Primedia Business Magazines and Media Inc. • Suleimain, L.P. (2003). Beyond Cultural Competence: Language Access and Latino Civil Rights. Child Welfare, Mar/Apr 2003, Vol. 82 Issue 2, p. 185-201. • The W.K. Kellogg Foundation. (2000). Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Era of Devolution: A Persistent Challenge to Welfare Reform. • U.S. Census. 2000. 2000 Census of Population and Housing. U.S. Department of Commerce News. Diversity of the Country's Hispanics Highlighted in U.S. Census Bureau Report. March, 2001. • U.S. Census. 2000. Hispanic Population of the United States Current Population Survey Definition and Background. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Ethnic and Hispanic Studied Branch. • U.S. Census. 2002. Facts for Features. Hispanic Heritage Month 2002: Sept. 15-Oct. 15. September, 2002.. • U.S. Census Bureau. March 2002. Current Population Survey. • Waters, M.C. and Gimpel, J.G. (1995). Immigration and Ethnic and Racial Inequality in the United States. Annual Review of Sociology, Vol. 21, p. 419-446. • www.diversityeffectiveness.com. 2/27/04. Wildermuth, C. & Gray, S.D. (2002). Latinos in the U.S. The American Society of Training and Development. • www.hacr. org/statistics.htm 2/24/04. HACR 2002 Hispanics Today. Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility.