Shiny Happy People: Latinos pleased with their lot in the U.S.

United Press Int'l ^ | December 17, 2002

[new cruelty]

Latinos pleased with their lot in the U.S.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A new survey by the Pew Hispanic Center and the Kaiser Family Foundation has found most Hispanics have a positive view of their lives in the United States, but it also shows that some of them are concerned with the moral values their children are picking up.

Eighty percent of the Hispanics surveyed said they think Latino children growing up in the United States will get a better education than they did in their native counties, and 76 percent believe they will have better jobs and make more money.

The 56 percent who thought they will wind up with the same moral values they have was well over half, but still down from those who believe there will material success in their future.

The study also shows second generation Hispanics are joining the American mainstream.

"The melting pot is at work, as the survey shows that the children of Latino immigrants are English speakers and express views closer to the American mainstream that the immigrant generation," said Roberto Suro, director of the Pew Hispanic Center.

"Assimilation is not a simple, all-encompassing process, and even Latinos whose families have been in the United States for several generations express some attitudes distinct from whites and African-Americans," Suro said.

The report also said Hispanics don't always agree on important issues, particularly if they come from different Latin American countries.

"A Cuban in Miami, a Salvadoran immigrant in Washington and a third-generation Mexican in Los Angeles may all have roots in Spanish-speaking countries, but their diversity in views and experiences in the United States suggests that people should be wary of generalizing much about Latinos," said Mollyann Brodie, director of public opinion and media research at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

But most Latinos -- 86 percent -- agree that discrimination is a problem, and it keeps Hispanics from succeeding in general. The response showed that 78 percent thought it was a problem in the workplace and 76 percent said it also applies at school.

The survey also reported that 35 percent believe they are treated unfairly because of their language and 24 percent attribute it to their physical appearance.

But they said whites and blacks aren't the only offenders. The survey found that 83 percent found that discrimination within the Hispanic community is a problem and 47 percent said it is a major problem.

Colombians at 61 percent and Dominicans at 57 percent are the most likely to feel that way.

The survey was taken between April 4 and June 11 among 4,213 Latinos nationwide, who were selected at random. The margin of error was plus or minus 2.41 percent.

The Pew Hispanic Center, based in Washington, is a non-partisan research organization supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts of Philadelphia and a project of the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communications.

The Kaiser Family Foundation, based in Menlo Park Calif., is a non-profit independent health-care organization. It is not associated with Kaiser Industries.

[3AngelaD]

If I'm not mistaken, the author of this report, Roberto Suro, used to be an extremely pro-immigration reporter for the Washington Post. If it's the same guy, he would never report on stories that showed immigration or immigrants in a bad light, was completely biased, and would actually argue with sources with whom he disagreed. He had the story about the immigrant being deported to Guatemala who assaulted the 12-year-old unaccompanied girl on the airplane, from a few years back, but never wrote it.

[new cruelty]

interesting. do you have any articles of his? just curious.

[monday]

"The melting pot is at work, as the survey shows that the children of Latino immigrants are English speakers and express views closer to the American mainstream that the immigrant generation,"

Living in an area where there are many Latinos, I am always surprised at the attitudes some people from other parts of the country have towards them.

In my experience they work hard, are usually very happy and fun to be around, and are very loyal friends and neigbors. They might not be perfect but then who is?

[Andiceman]

So would it be safe to say that this indicates that the concept of an "Occupied Atzlan" isn't the general viewpoint of most Latinos? I'm shocked! (That's sarcasm, if y'all didn't catch it)

Andiceman

[DumpsterDiver]

"Eighty percent of the Hispanics surveyed said they think Latino children growing up in the United States will get a better education than they did in their native counties, ..."

Are the "Hispanics" being surveyed talking about some other group called "Latinos", or what?

But most Latinos -- 86 percent -- agree that discrimination is a problem, and it keeps Hispanics from succeeding in general.

And now are the "Latinos" talking about some other group known as "Hispanics"? I am so confused!

[new cruelty]

ROTFL

way back when i was in college, I knew a few who had that viewpoint. one in particular was in his 8th year as an undergraduate.

[arkfreepdom]

Living in an area where there are many Latinos, I am always surprised at the attitudes some people from other parts of the country have towards them. In my experience they work hard, are usually very happy and fun to be around, and are very loyal friends and neigbors. They might not be perfect but then who is?

My experience as well. I don't care for illegal immigration and want improved border control, but I have found them to be a relatively conservative and church going group....same for Vietnamese.

[My2Cents]

That's a good point. Probably the vast majority of Latino immigrants are here BECAUSE this is America, and want nothing to do with turning the southwestern US back to Mexico. They've escaped the Third World; why would they want to make the US a Third World nation in and of itself?

[dljordan]

And I suppose they intend to pay back all of the welfare, medical care and subsidized housing they get? I don't think so. To them this is THE gravy train.

[new cruelty]

hmm. i don't have that kind of money on me right now, but can i put something on it?

[RobbyS]

Immigration is a complicated matter. The upcoming movie "The Gangs of New York" may give us a new view of the matter. The Irish immigration was much more serious, at least on the short term, than the Hispanic invasion. By the time of the Civil War, the in-migration was largely over. The lasting effect had to do with the corruption of the political process on the eastern seaboard cities. It took the Irish a hundred years to assimilate, which gives pause to an sanquine hopes for assimilation in the Southwest. Tony Sanchez's blantant attempt to win by slamming his (Hispanic)opponent as "not Mexican enough" bothered me.

[taxed2death]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe Hispanics are from Hispaniola (spelling?), the island of Dominican Republic / Haiti.

It would appear like the adjective is used improperly 95% of the time.

[skeeter]

Immigration is a complicated matter. The upcoming movie "The Gangs of New York" may give us a new view of the matter. The Irish immigration was much more serious, at least on the short term, than the Hispanic invasion.

I dunno about that - there are no more continents to settle... yet the rush to get here continues.

[Paulus Invictus]

Yeah but..are they here legally like my grandparents? Hmmmm? If they are not legal they belong back in their country of origin and never allowed to come again since they have already broken US laws.

[Fish out of Water]

bump

[new cruelty]

conservative hispanic bump

[Fish out of Water]

Good Deal Bump!

[RobbyS]

My theory is that the Irish came with the underdog's lack of respect for the law. To them the law was not based on principle but simply on the vested interests of the (Anglo-American) ruling class. Hence, getting around it was perfectly justified. This fit in perfectly with the general moral malaise of the Guilded Age, which was ushered in by the violence of the Civil War and occupation of the South. As I said, theory.