Notably, there are close to fifty million Latin Americans or other people of Spanish descent living in the United States (Falcón, 2015). Apparently, a good number of Hispanics, also known as Latinos claim their origin from their forefathers who migrated from Spain during American colonization. Currently, Hispanics are found in almost every State in America. According to the current statistics, all Latin Americans comprise about eleven percent of the American population. In fact, during elections, candidates scramble for the Latinos votes to win the presidency. However, it is important to realize that more than sixty percent of Hispanics are from Mexico which was under Spaniards during colonization. Other Latinos come from Puerto Rico, Central and South America or the Caribbean, and Cuba (Falcón, 2015) . The terms used to refer to this group of people have been controversial for many decades. For example, some call them Latinos, Mexicans, while others term them as Hispanics, Spanish people, among other terms. In this paper the term “Hispanic” will be used. The paper seeks to discuss Hispanic culture in relation to Samoan culture.
Background Information on Hispanic Culture
Over the years, Hispanic culture has been considered as one of the richest cultures in American society such as the issue of gender roles. Admittedly, in the Hispanic community, gender roles are traditional, and there are various ways on how Hispanics view gender roles even in other places of the world (Robinson, 2008). Apparently, Hispanics bring their culture with them as they are migrating as well as being able to practice their culture and roles despite being in a new environment or another different culture. Studying gender roles in the Hispanic culture may cover a very wide scope, and therefore one needs to learn different aspects that are linked to such elements to comprehend the cultural practices along gender lines of the Hispanic/Latino community. The role of a man in this culture is emphasized in “Machismo,” while that of a woman is under “ Marianismo.” However, the following section will describe in deeper details, the gender roles of the Hispanic culture.
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Education is highly respected in the Hispanic culture. In most instances, for example, from the age of six to sixteen, schools are free for all children (Evans & Phillips, 2007). The school systems entail different levels of education that suits students with special needs. At the same time, the education system has allowed for artistic classes as well as language learning. The school systems involve five levels of education where the first level includes children of age three and below, while the second level covers ages three to six years. The primary level starts from age six to twelve years while from age twelve to sixteen years is for the secondary school students according to the law. After secondary education, one may decide to continue to higher levels such as university or college level.
The general communication style of Hispanics is formal (Evans & Phillips, 2007). Individuals are required to exercise the highest level of respect such as through the use of formal titles. In the following sections, Hispanic communication will be covered in a more detailed manner. In the Hispanic culture, behavior is critical at all levels. For example, it is normal for a Hispanic to kiss, hug, or handshake during greetings. In informal settings, Hispanics usually communicate very loud and fast. However, there are specific words used to show respect while at the same time being flexible and relaxed about punctuality and time. In most cases, they focus on the use of present tense instead of future tense. While talking, they tend to be closer to each but maintaining a distance of about l8 inches. The dress code, houses, and artwork of Hispanics is usually vivid and bright in color.
In addition, when it comes to food, the common types of Hispanic food include tamales, tortillas, tacos and enchiladas (Lesh & Finkelman, 2008) . Critically to note is that most of the main Hispanic food originated from the Indian cultures of Mexico. On the other hand, one of the common rituals in Hispanic culture includes the Quinceaneras which are the formal introduction of girls into the society during their 15th birthday. However, there are other patriotic holidays for the Hispanic people such as the Cinco de Mayo, which is celebrated on May 5 th to remember the Baffle of Puebla as the end of French Intervention in Mexico in 1862. Additionally, one of the religious holidays for the Hispanics includes the La Noche Buena which celebrates the Epiphany or the Holy Kings on January sixth. Apparently, in the Hispanic culture, work is normally hierarchical where those in the leadership are respected. At a family level, family members assist each other. For example, parents are involved in teaching basic skills to their children.
An Overview of Gender Roles in Hispanic Culture
In the Hispanic culture, gender roles are traditional, and there are various ways on how Hispanics view gender roles even in other places of the world. The role of a man in this culture is emphasized in “Machismo,” while that of a woman is under “ Marianismo.” However, it must be underlined that the role of women is more defined as compared to the role men in this culture.
In general, the primary role of men is economic protection while that of women is being devoted mothers as well as caregivers. Additionally, in this culture, gender roles have been part of their history and culture. Although there are evident positive impacts of gender roles, some believe that machismos, as well as marianismo, pose negative effects on individuality and culture. On the other hand, women need protection and provision from their men. Therefore, because the head of the family is considered as the provider, a man is encouraged to work hard, earn and provide protection for his family (Robinson, 2008). Since the primary role of women in the Hispanic culture is to be good mothers, they tend to define themselves through their children and not through their individuality.
Notably, Hispanic women are tasked with teaching their Hispanic daughters about their domestic duties and ensure that these daughters have learned and understood all home chores that are performed by their aunts, mothers, and grandmothers (Robinson, 2008). Additionally, they should ensure that the Hispanic daughters adhere to the traditional values that reflect the Hispanic culture at all times. Although the roles and duties of Hispanic women carry such a big deal of pressure, they are appreciated and extended with needed love and support from their men (Robinson, 2008). Critically important to note is that families are given priority in the Hispanic community. Therefore, Hispanic mothers ensure that all children are raised to be independent and productive individuals.
Uniqueness of Hispanic Culture
The uniqueness of Hispanic culture could be pegged on the ideal found in Marianismo and machismo. The two concepts make Hispanic culture stand out as unique. The roles of both men and women are explained in the two concepts. For example, under Marianismo, the Hispanic women are mainly occupied with domestic chores and the work of bringing up the children. Unlike the core role of a Hispanic man being insisted as in “machismo” that means that a man is always the greatest provider of a family, “Marianismo” is used to refer to spiritual, responsible and selfless women who are able to manage their families and children (Sloan 67). They are required to help their husbands in working and striving hard when protecting the family as well as providing it with all its needs (Robinson, 2008). Child rearing is an essential goal for Hispanic women. Further, under machismo, Hispanic men provide not only to their children but also to their wives as well as being the sole protectors of families from any adversity. Since men are considered fearlessly strong, the wife is supposed to give herself completely while nurturing her children and she is also expected to help the elderly relatives. Families observe strict gender roles. Women rarely leave home to seek for employment opportunities because in the Latino culture they do not need to work since the husband provides the economic support to the family.
Lessons Leant On Communicating with Others
One of the key lessons is that respect in communication is critical. For example, when communicating, in the Hispanic culture, maintaining a direct eye contact with the person one is talking with is considered as disrespectful. In this way, a Hispanic person is supposed to show respect when talking to another person by looking down or away, especially if the other person is older or higher in leadership or authority.
Further, emotions and animations are part of communication. In this regard, if a Hispanic person is in a public gathering with mixed settings or when with unfamiliar people, the Hispanic will always speak in low key or raise issues in a respectful manner (Rothbard, 2014) . However, if all persons are Hispanics, one is allowed to show a high level of emotional expressions.
Additionally, gestures are used when communicating in Hispanic culture. People from this culture may use high or medium level gestures. understandably, the use of gestures is consonant with cultures of Latino that usually use higher levels of gestures as a cultural pattern that depicts emotional expressions as a norm.
On the same breath, naming makes one proud when communicating. Hispanics enjoy to be identified by their names during communication (Wulf, 2006) . Identification or calling one another by his or her name is considered as a sign of respect. At the same time, people’s identity in the society is taken as collateral orientation whereby persons’ identities are intimately tied to the status and identity of their families throughout their life’s span.
During communication, it is important to pause and measure one’s pace. Hispanics are sensitive to the pause and pace times (Wulf, 2006) . For example, if one’s first language is Spanish, the pause time is usually short but longer if one is a native person. Further, Hispanics prefer a short interpersonal distance when communicating with each other. Generally, Hispanics are friendly people and the typical arm’s length distance preferred by European Americans is considered as unfriendly by many Hispanics. However, during interaction, Hispanics tend to spend the shortest time with those that are unfamiliar to them as compared to when interacting with people they know. In fact, they try as much as possible to conduct a conversation in ways that they feel comfortable or right for them.
Additionally, it is crucial during communication to be friendly. Hispanics, due to their friendly nature, tend to use touch as a form of communication that is most friendly than other communities in America. In the predominately Hispanic communities, levels of touch between persons of the same sex takes place more often in public settings compared to other cultures. Notably, touch is only taken as a form of communication as opposed to sexual connotation.
Comparison between Hispanic culture and Samoan culture
One of the main similarities between Hispanic culture and Samoan culture is that families comes above all else and family members exercise strong ties with each other. However, in Samoan culture, communities’ unity is highly regarded since a member of a community is expected to positively contribute to its success (Adamson, 2016).
Further, Samoan people like leisure and sporty activities as is the case with the Hispanic culture. For example, in evenings, Samoan like socializing and playing sports with other friends. In fact, people stop at their neighbor’s place only to socialize with each other (Adamson, 2016). On the same breath the two cultures are friendly. In Samoan culture, for instance, it is common for community members to share the evening’s meals. As noted above, Hispanics are religious people as they respect and celebrate religious holidays. On this side, the Samoans like spending time in churches during weekends while city dwellers return to their villages to celebrate religious holidays.
In addition, both Hispanic and Samoan cultures consider identity as a key aspect of their orientation. As is the case with the Hispanic culture, the identity of a Samoan is pegged on the key values as opposed to only living in Samoa. In this way, Samoan values are considered as the binding factor between those living in Samoa and those in abroad (Adamson, 2016). Eye contact is also not common when people are communicating in the Samoan culture as is the case in the Hispanic culture. Samoans tend to avoid eye contact as a way of showing respect.
Unlike in Hispanic culture, Samoan culture emphasizes on self-respect as opposed to respecting others (Adamson, 2016). However, under the words “respect your betters”, it does not mean that one should not respect others but rather, respect oneself better before respecting others. Additionally, whistling for the purpose of communication is considered as a taboo in Samoan culture as opposed to the Hispanic culture.
Conclusion
As observed above both Hispanic and Samoan culture has many similarities as opposed to differences. Notably, one of the key differences is that Unlike in Hispanic culture, Samoan culture emphasizes on self-respect as opposed to respecting others. However, it is prudent to underscore the importance of respecting both oneself and others during communication.
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