Hispanic Families At Risk

In the United States, work is the key to economic success, as well as the major source of health care coverage and retirement security. While Europeans look to the State for these benefits, Americans for the most part do not. This system of employment-based benefits means that those disadvantaged in the labor market are also disadvantaged in terms of health care coverage and retirement security. The authors of this work examine the overrepresentation of Mexican Americans in low wage or service sector jobs, which rarely come with health insurance or retirement coverage. At all ages, Mexican Americans have lower rates of health insurance and retirement coverage than do other minority groups, such as African Americans or other Hispanic groups. Although employment in jobs that do not provide benefits is one major source of this disparity, other factors—including immigration history, citizenship status, and language proficiency—further block opportunities for upward mobility within the Mexican American population. In their analysis, the authors work to deemphasize the popular, cultural explanation for the economic disparities and focus on more practical, policy-based solutions. In each chapter, the authors identify and critique the factors that affect the economic security and health care access of individuals throughout the life course, suggesting policies for reform. This work will be of interest to anyone working in the fields of cultural studies, public health and the sociology of work. With the focus on real world causes for the problems as well as potential solutions, policy-makers will also find this informative book an essential resource.

Hispanics and the Future of America presents details of the complex story of a population that varies in many dimensions, including national origin, immigration status, and generation. The papers in this volume draw on a wide variety of data sources to describe the contours of this population, from the perspectives of history, demography, geography, education, family, employment, economic well-being, health, and political engagement. They provide a rich source of information for researchers, policy makers, and others who want to better understand the fast-growing and diverse population that we call "Hispanic." The current period is a critical one for getting a better understanding of how Hispanics are being shaped by the U.S. experience. This will, in turn, affect the United States and the contours of the Hispanic future remain uncertain. The uncertainties include such issues as whether Hispanics, especially immigrants, improve their educational attainment and fluency in English and thereby improve their economic position; whether growing numbers of foreign-born Hispanics become citizens and achieve empowerment at the ballot box and through elected office; whether impending health problems are successfully averted; and whether Hispanics' geographic dispersal accelerates their spatial and social integration. The papers in this volume provide invaluable information to explore these issues.

Two studies investigated the characteristics of high-risk Hispanic parents with young children who were enrolled in a primary prevention home visitation program targeting first birth families. In the first study, more and less acculturated high-risk Hispanic families were compared to high-risk non-Hispanic White families on differences in demographic characteristics, risk factors associated with poor child outcomes, and parent behaviors related to infant health. Using the General Linear Model Univariate procedure, these characteristics were then related to level of parenting skills, measured after approximately one year of service. A total of 1005 families were included in the study. There were important differences in parent psychosocial characteristics, health risks, and outcomes among Hispanic families. Hispanic mothers who were more acculturated, as measured by use of English in the home, were more likely to be at risk for substance abuse, mental illness, and family conflict. They were more likely to smoke and less likely to breastfeed. Less acculturated Hispanic mothers were less educated and more likely to be isolated. Controlling for pretest scores and education level, there were significant between group differences on parenting skills after one year of service, however the effect was small and overshadowed by the significant interaction effect between partner status and household category. Scores for single Spanish-speaking Hispanic mothers were significantly lower than scores of Spanish-speaking Hispanics in partner households. Risk factors that were positively associated with program progress included breastfeeding and mother's education level. Smoking, mental illness, and unrealistic expectations for the child were negatively associated with program progress. The second paper addressed the efficacy of an age-paced parenting newsletter as part of a home-visiting program for Spanish-speaking Hispanic parents. Family Service Workers serving these families delivered the newsletter and used it as a curriculum guide and teaching tool for families. Parents reported reading the newsletter, learning from it, and changing their behavior in response to newsletter content. Home visitors reported that it was a useful tool to reach high-risk parents with important parenting information. They found that it was particularly useful to combat inappropriate or unhealthful parenting advice from well-meaning family members and friends.

Given current demographic trends, nearly one in five U.S. residents will be of Hispanic origin by 2025. This major demographic shift and its implications for both the United States and the growing Hispanic population make Multiple Origins, Uncertain Destinies a most timely book. This report from the National Research Council describes how Hispanics are transforming the country as they disperse geographically. It considers their roles in schools, in the labor market, in the health care system, and in U.S. politics. The book looks carefully at the diverse populations encompassed by the term "Hispanic," representing immigrants and their children and grandchildren from nearly two dozen Spanish-speaking countries. It describes the trajectory of the younger generations and established residents, and it projects long-term trends in population aging, social disparities, and social mobility that have shaped and will shape the Hispanic experience.

In 1998, a series of focus groups was held to explore the factors that promote resilience among Hispanic girls. At least 4 focus groups, composed of no less than 6 and no more than 15 participants, were conducted at each of the 6 urban sites. In spite of the variations in Hispanic subgroup membership of the focus group participants, the findings from these sessions suggested one clear, salient conclusion: cultural protective factors play a critical role in buffering Hispanic girls from risky and damaging behaviors, such as delinquency, depression, pregnancy, and substance abuse. This report also offers recommendations to address the serious risks facing Hispanic girls. Focus group participants confirmed the need to develop culturally appropriate programs and messages for Hispanic girls and their parents. They agreed about the importance of involving Hispanic community-based organizations in the design, implementation, and evaluation of any campaign to empower Hispanic girls. (Contains 131 end notes.) (SLD)

Latinos are now the largest ethnic minority population in the United States and still they encounter a great deal of misunderstanding, prejudice, and discrimination. Utilizing a strengths-based perspective, Social Work Practice with Latinos addresses the unique needs of this diverse population. Written by practitioners and scholars from many disciplines, this book discusses social issues of consequence to Latinos and specific strengths and risk factors of the Latino community. They then offer methods that utilize these strengths to ensure a culturally-competent approach to practice with Latino populations. Each chapter is accompanied by key questions for personal and group reflection to facilitate discussion and understanding of these vital themes. The editors have nearly three decades of combined experience working with Latino populations inside and outside the United States. Drawing on this experience, they integrate these varied perspectives to prepare students and practitioners for practice with this richly diverse community.

Offering an integrated, culturally sensitive focus, Understanding Latino Families presents a dynamic new approach to the study of Latino families. This new approach centers on the strengths of Latino/Hispanic groups, the structural processes that impede their progress, and the cultural and familial processes that enhance their intergenerational adaptation and resiliency. A leading group of scholars clearly presents social and demographic profiles of Latino groups in the United States, empirical and conceptual reviews of Latino family approaches, and practice and policy implications from studies of Latino social programs. Included for discussion are such salient topics as the economic well-being of Latino families, prospects for Latino children and adolescents, the adjustment of Central American refugee families, and Latino child and family health concerns. Researchers, scholars, and students in the fields of ethnic studies, family studies, sociology, social work, and psychology will find Understanding Latino Families an invaluable resource. "Understanding Latino Families is a timely edition of the Understanding Families series distributed by Sage Publications. In a political climate of economic discord and social change, this book highlights the ways many Latino families struggle to succeed in the face of factors related to immigration, labor for transformations, cultural incongruence with dominant society, cross-force transformations, cultural incongruence with the dominant society, cross-generational acculturation patterns, and racism. . . . Adding veracity to the social policy debate, Understanding Latino Families presents social and demographic profiles of Latino groups in the United States, empirical and conceptual reviews of Latino family approaches, and practice and policy implications from studies of Latino social problems." --Cultural Diversity and Mental Health "Understanding Latino Families presents an excellent new approach to the study of Latino family structures: one which considers ethnic group strengths, family actions, and the processes that enhance resiliency. This makes for quite a scholarly, probing study." --The Midwest Book Review "College-level students of social service will appreciate having a new approach that considers the collective group strengths of Hispanics and the processes that enhance their adaptation process. Scholars present reviews of Latino family groups in this country and discuss their social and economic patters." --The Bookwatch "For researchers and students in the fields of ethnic studies, family studies, sociology, and social work, this book offers a culturally sensitive approach to the study of Latino families. Featured are social and demographic profiles of Latino groups, empirical reviews of Latino families, approaches, and practice and policy implications from studies of Latino social programs. Other topics include the prospects for Latino children and adolescents, child and family health concerns, and the adjustment of Central American refugee families." --Journal of Social Work Education "Understanding Latino Families is an important contribution and a badly needed addition to the field of family studies. This book provides a wealth of information about the contemporary status of Latino families. It will immediately become a basic source for introducing readers to this topic and will inform both specialists and students of various levels of sophistication. This book is especially strong in giving the reader an appreciation for the great diversity that exists in the racial and ethnic composition that characterizes the membership of Latino families. Of the existing work on this topic, this edited book is the best collection . . . in the social sciences. I am convinced that academics and professionals in the fields of child development, sociology, and social work can benefit greatly by reading this book. This collection will also be a valuable tool for graduate students in all these fields. Selected chapters that are less theoretically based might also be beneficial for undergraduates who are taking university courses on ethnic diversity." --Gary W. Peterson, Arizona State University, Tempe

Resilience is a topic that is currently receiving increased attention. In general, resilience refers to the capacity of those who, even under the most stressful circumstances, are able to cope, to rebound, and to go on and thrive. Resilient families are able to regain their balance following crises that arise as a function of either nature or nurture, and to continue to encourage and support their members as they deal with the necessary requirements for accommodation, adaptation and, ultimately, healthy survival. Handbook of Family Resilience provides a broad body of knowledge regarding the traits and patterns found to characterize resilient individuals and well-functioning families, including those with diverse structures, various ethnic backgrounds and a variety of non-traditional forms. This Handbook brings together a variety of perspectives aimed at understanding and helping to facilitate resilience in families relative to a full range of challenges.