Latino culture has a collective approach to family and human development but has not been given enough credit for the importance of their values, traditions, norm and heritage (Long, 2013).
Religious Beliefs
Latino’s have a holistic view of health and illness and many emphasize the importance of folk medicine beliefs and folk healers (Appleby, Colon & Hamilton, 2011). Roman Catholicism dominates throughout the Latino culture but varies in form and practice from region to regions. Variations are displayed in regard to patron saints, special days of observance, and rituals surrounding birth, marriage and death practices (“Latinos –Religion and Expressive Culture”, n.d.).
- The Virgin of Guadalupe is more popular with Mexican-Americans.
- Santeria (worship of African gods clothed in Catholic dogma) is popular with Cuban Americans and Puerto Ricans
Latinos subscribe to the Christian belief of an afterlife in which a person is rewarded or punished for having led a good or evil life (“Latinos –Religion and Expressive Culture”, n.d.). Morality is the cornerstone of the culture and is based on their religious devotion and belief that God and His laws are the ultimate authority (Long, 2013) |
“The devotion to the Catholic Church is unparalleled”
(Long, 2013, para 17) |
FAMILY VALUES
|
Patriarchal family structure with father as undisputed head of the family (Long, 2013). The tradition of machismo is prevalent and women are to be sub servant to the male. The mother is responsible for the maintenance of the household and women are still seen as second class citizens and are not viewed as independent (Long, 2013).
|
“The basic collectivism of culture seems to be the main ingredient that
holds the society together” (Long, 2013, para 7).
holds the society together” (Long, 2013, para 7).
“…the very significance of collectivism is the crust of family unit; each member
having a willingness to sacrifice in some form for the
betterment of other member or all” (Long, 2013, para 7).
having a willingness to sacrifice in some form for the
betterment of other member or all” (Long, 2013, para 7).
Work ethic |
education |
heritage (pride) |
|
|
|