Racial and Ethnic Families: Strengths and Stresses

1. Racial and Ethnic Families: Strengths and Stresses Chapter 5

2. Increasing Diversity of U.S. Families • Assimilation: Conformity of ethnic group members to the culture of the dominant group, including intermarriage. • Cultural pluralism: Maintaining aspects of one’s original culture, including language, while living peacefully with the host culture. • Acculturation: Adopting language, values, beliefs, and roles of a host culture. • Newcomers merge with the host culture in most ways.

3. Migration Patterns

4. Migration Patterns (US Cenus, 2008)

5. Percent of U.S. population that was foreign born: 1900 ~15% 2008 ~11% Origin of Immigrants to the U.S. 1900: 85% from Europe, 2% from Latin America and Asia 2008: 13% from Europe, 81% from Latin America and Asia The US admits over one million legal immigrants annually, more than any other country In the US there are almost 10 million undocumented (illegal) immigrants, more than half from Mexico Changes in Immigration

6. Changes in Immigration

7. Costs of immigration include: Fears about national security Concerns about diluting national identity Worries about displacing U.S. born employees Immigrants use more government services and pay less in taxes Costs to immigrants themselves include low wages and poor working conditions Benefits of immigration include: Immigrants are willing to do work many American born workers will not do Provides a pool of younger workers Changes in Immigration

8. Race and Ethnicity • Minority group: Group of people who may be treated differently or unequally because of their physical or cultural characteristics, such as gender, sexual orientation, religion, or skin color. • Racial group: Category of people who share physical characteristics, such as skin color, that members of a society consider socially important. • Ethnic group: Category of people who identify with a common national origin or cultural heritage. • Racial-ethnic group: Category of people who have distinctive physical and cultural characteristics

9. Prejudice and Discrimination • Prejudice: An attitude that prejudges people, usually in a negative way • Discrimination: Behavior that treats people unequally or unfairly.

10. 1. Black family bonds were destroyed during slavery. 2. The black family collapsed after emancipation. 3. The black family has always been a matriarchy. 4. Most black families are poor and on welfare. 5. The major problem of black families is loose morals. The Ten Biggest Myths About The African American Family

11. The Ten Biggest Myths About The African American Family 6. Most black single parent families are dysfunctional. 7. Black families avoid work and teach children to rely on handouts. 8. Black men can’t sustain stable relationships. 9. Black families no longer face widespread discrimination. 10. The African American family relies on white generosity and government welfare.

12. Family Structure Black family structure changed over time to adapt to societal pressures. Since 1980, black children have become more likely than other racial-ethnic groups to grow up with one parent, usually the mother. African American Families

13. Gender Roles Egalitarian family patterns common Both men and women share equal power Black couples are more likely than white couples to share household chores Though not equally African American Families

14. African American Families SC Slave Family Contemporary Black Family

15. African American Families • Parents and Children: • Black parents more likely than white parents to emphasize self-control and success in school. • Through socialization, black children learn from their families how to cope with racism. • African American families are more likely than those of any other ethnic group to face violence on a daily basis. • A major problem of many families is absent fathers.

16. African American Families • Health: • Minorities typically receive lower quality health care than do whites. • Strong relationship between stress, financial problems, and poor physical health. • The infant mortality rate for African Americans is nearly double that of the general population. • Economic Well-Being: • The median income of African Americans is the lowest of all racial-ethnic groups.

17. Infant Mortality Rates

18. Infant Mortality Rates

19. African American Families • Despite economic problems, many black families remain optimistic and have numerous strengths including: • Strong kinship bonds • Ability to adapt family roles to outside pressures • Strong work ethic • Determination to succeed in education • Unwavering spirituality

20. American Indian Families • American Indian families very heterogeneous • “lumping all Indians together is a mistake.” • Extended families are typical • Especially among those living on reservations • Some of the few studies of relationships between husbands and wives report: • Unequal sharing of household duties • Both husbands and wives felt equally competent in solving family problems and coping with everyday issues.

21. Native American Families

22. Parents and Children Children are important family members. Children taught to show respect for authority figures by listening and not interrupting. Parents make playthings and ceremonial items. Emphasis on cooperation, sharing, integrity, generosity, harmony with nature and spirituality. Parents teach children that men and women have different roles but both should be respected. Parents concerned about losing control of children’s behavior, especially related to friends and drinking. American Indian Families

23. Elders and grandparents Old age is a “badge of honor.” Children are taught to respect their elders. Elders traditionally played central role in family decision making. There is an emphasis on family unity and cooperation. Grandparents have important roles in most children’s lives. “Cultural conservators” taking grandchildren to tribal hearings, powwows, and other activities. Taking over childcare when women work outside the home. American Indian Families

24. Health Mental health problems Depression & Suicide Alcoholism Alcohol related violence and crime Physical and sexual abuse of children American Indian Families

25. Suicide Rates by Race/Ethnicity and Gender

26. Suicide Rates

27. American Indian Families • Economic Well Being • One out of four American Indians lives below the poverty level • Higher jobless rates than other groups • Unemployment is 50-90% on many reservations. • Substandard housing is common, especially on reservations. • Casinos have created jobs and economic stability for some Indians, but most have not benefited.

28. Strengths of American Indian Families include: “Relational bonding”(core behavior built on values such as respect, generosity, and sharing across the family and tribe). Harmony and balance in putting community needs above individual needs. Spirituality. In some cases, tribe members have developed self-sufficient industries. American Indian Families

29. Tribal Industries • Company produces Kevlar helmets and panels for the U.S. Department of Defense.

30. Self-sufficient Tribal Industries Art Gallery Native American Crafts

31. Family Structure About two thirds of children live in two parent families. Couples are more likely now than in 1970 to divorce. Out-of-wedlock births more common. Children may be more likely to live with relatives than parents New immigrants live with family sponsors. Gender Roles Machismo and marianismo vary depending on the degree of acculturation. Parenting duties women. Mothers and fathers both are caring & affectionate to children Expect their children to be obedient, honest, and respectful. Latino/Hispanic Families

32. Hispanic/Latino Families

33. Familism-family relationships that take precedence over individual well being. Many families have large extended family networks. To strengthen cultural ties and preserve heritage, many families send children “home” to spend summers with relatives. About 20% of families live below the poverty line. Recent immigrants often face poverty and working in low wage jobs. The number of middle class families is increasing. Latino/Hispanic Families

34. Latino/Hispanic • Strengths of Latino families include: • Resilience • Adaptability • Family networks • Familism

35. Asian American Families • Chinese the largest Asian American group, followed by Filipino and Asian Indians • Family structures vary: • Asian American households likely extended rather than nuclear families. • Female headed households much less common than in other groups. • In most groups, husbands and wives follow traditional gender role patterns.

36. Filial piety(respect and obedience toward one’s parents) a strong value Emphasis on Familism: Family is more important than the individual Parents--more control over children’s lives than non-Asian parents Expect obedience Strong emphasis education Asian American Families

37. Asian American Families • Asian Americans as “the model minority,” • A stereotype with many myths: • More academically, economically, and socially successful than any other racial minority groups. • Perception that Asian cultural values of hard work, family cohesion, self-sufficiency and a drive for success propelled recent immigrants into and beyond the American middle class within a generation or two

38. Asian Americans “the model minority • During U.S. civil rights movement of 1960s, Asian Americans first characterized as the “model minority”. • Japanese first labeled “model minority” • Generalized to all Asian ethic groups • "If Asian Americans can succeed in America, why not Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans?"

39. Strengths: Asian American Families • Stable households • Close knit families • Emphasis on success and education

40. Middle Eastern Families • Middle East about 30 countries and many diverse family forms • Share similar values and attitudes about family life • Most Middle Eastern children live with both parents • Divorce is frowned upon • Marriage patterns are endogamous • Favoring marriage between cousins • Marriage is rarely based on romantic love

41. Middle Eastern Families • Men and women culturally prescribed gender and family roles • Change as more women work outside the home • Families become more “Americanized” • Parents and children strong bonds • Gender expectations differ for boys and girls • Creating double standard

42. Middle Eastern Families • Since 9/11/01, Middle Eastern families experienced more discrimination and prejudice in the U.S. • Strengths of Middle Eastern families • Strong family ties • Strong ethnic identities • Extended kin networks.

43. Interracial and Interethnic Relationships and Marriages • The number of people who identify as more than one race is increasing • Especially in younger age groups • Rate of racial-ethnic intermarriages gradually increased • 5.4% of marriages in 2000

44. Reasons for Increase • Five reasons for increases in intermarriages: • Proximity • Availability of potential spouses • Acculturation • Upward mobility • Changing attitudes

45. Racial-Ethnic Intermarriages