Introduction
In the United States Census Bureau, the term “Latino” or Hispanic refers to individuals from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, Central or South America and other individuals of Spanish origin and culture (U.S Department of Health & Human Services, 2021). In the United States, the group is distributed in large numbers in various states, including Colorado, California, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, Texas and New Mexico (U.S Department of Health & Human Services, 2021). The presentation is based on the cultural practices of the Hispanic group and how they initially conducted their way of life as compared to the current state.
Health Beliefs and Practices
There are several reasons why seeking healers and using healing remedies are common among Hispanic individuals. Some of the reasons include reduced access to healthcare that has been caused by the language barrier and unfamiliar culture of the Americans (U.S Department of Health & Human Services (2021). The healers are usually found within various cultural groups. The healers relied on the use of folk medicine; they used eggs, oils, plants, amulets and other herbal medicines to treat and cure. People of Hispanic communities are not comfortable seeking healthcare because they know they may not access the services.
Home remedies and the reliance on lay healers form the primary part of Hispanic health care among various families (Johnson & Farquharson, 2019). For Hispanic individuals, a lack of proper diet and exercise has led to increased health-related illnesses. The negative perception of healthcare among the Hispanic people leads to the late detection of diseases among the cultural group. Additionally, Hispanic women are usually shy when the medical examination requires exposure to the genital and breast parts.
Family Patterns
Generally, Hispanics value the bond within families and they believe it is that of a strong heritage. The nuclear family is the top most valued structure in a given community among Hispanics; this is then followed by the extended family. The members of the family are supportive; they provide financial, emotional and social support to every individual within the family. A direct relative, for instance, the oldest male, is the Top most powerful in the family in case the father of that family is absent. In a family, the men are the ones who are expected to provide for that family and as well be the individuals in charge of that family.
The force that primarily holds the family is provided by the woman, she does all these through the services that she offers within the family, such as caregiving. The two types of gender roles that the Hispanic people believed in are the Machismo and the Marianismo. As per the meaning of Machismo, the father is recognized as the only individual within the family entrusted with decision-making, providing protection and at the same time the family protector. Marianismo is recognized as the conventional femininity aspect that has got both negativity and positivity. The qualities that this cultural value emphasizes include morality (maintaining virginity until marriage), self-sacrifice, harmony and inner strength.
Communication Style
Among Hispanics, verbal communication is considered respectful and courteous, especially while speaking in their native language. The Hispanics are very careful of whatever they say, especially while in groups. The Hispanics interpret non-verbal communication, such as maintaining eye contact to be a form of intimidation. 96% of the youth who are below 18 years old are recognized to be bilingual. 27% major on speaking in English, while 19 % major in Spanish (U.S Department of Health & Human Services (2021). Therefore overall, there is still a greater percentage of Hispanic people who are bilingual.
Space Orientation and Time Orientation
The Hispanics rely majorly on the context that includes gestures, the tone of voice, the position of one’s body and eye contact. The Hispanics consider these more important as compared to the content of what is to be communicated. The Hispanics also rely on each other for opinion and while talking to each other at a distance, shows a sign of unfriendliness. The Hispanics who follow their time, for instance, in the office where I work, they are often being reminded of an appointment the day before the appointment. The Hispanics focus on the relationship but not time, most of the time they would arrive later than the scheduled time.
Nutritional Patterns
The dietary pattern of Hispanics is greatly influenced by their conventional dietary patterns (Overcash & Reicks, 2021). Additionally, their diet is also supplemented by those of the communities in which they were adopted. The latter is greatly responsible for the differences that exist in cooking skills across the various Hispanic groups within the United States. Even though there exists heterogeneous ancestry in the community, the diet of the group still relies majorly on the consumption of beans, grains and fresh fruits. Additionally, family has influenced the dietary culture of the Hispanics through the methods of food preparation.
Pain Responses
Hispanic individuals feel pain more quickly as compared to the whites, for instance, when they touch a hot or cold object, they will experience the effect within a shorter time limit. Hispanic Americans are also known to experience more pain that is severe as compared to non-Hispanic whites. Hispanics are also recognized to have a low prevalence of pain as compared to non-Hispanic whites. Women men and younger individuals experience comorbid depression due to pain. In the conventional culture of Hispanics, when one has illness or pain, this can be interpreted as punishment for disharmony that the individual has conducted. This suggests that the pain is a result of a loss of connection with God and it is the same supreme being who can relieve the individual of the pain.
Childbirth and Perinatal care
Pregnant women are not allowed to take tobacco or alcohol but instead, they are advised and recommended by their family members to consume a diet that mainly entails carbohydrates. The nuclear family includes the extended family, usually providing financial, and emotional help to prevent external harm that may occur to the unborn baby and the mother. The older experienced members of the family are usually present to help in learning the important yardsticks of taking care of a child during development. Through the pregnancy, individuals will be able to know of the common illness and the symptoms and signs involved.
Death and Dying
The Hispanics believe death to be a part of life, and when one dies, the individual moves on to another level of life. The community believes that these fellows, relatives and friends live on as spirits while at the same time still part of the family. The female relatives who are seeking to take care of the terminally ill are unlikely to request help from others since they can cope with the stress as compared to the very close family members. In some families, it is not allowed to take terminally ill individuals to a nursing home, they are recommended to be taken care of at home. When family members come together while taking care of and staying close to the dying relatives, they are able to resolve any disputes that initially existed among them.
The Hispanics are Catholics and as per the teachings of the religion on the dying, one’s soul does not die even after their demise and it continues to live. The Hispanics, as per their religion’s teachings, should human life be treated as sacred. On death bed, the terminally ill individual will be anointed with holy oil and at the same time, the individual will confess. Currently, the community have preferred cremation and burying of the cremated remains. The culture also has it that at a given point yearly, the dead do usually return and they are usually remembered through special events. During burial, the people are allowed to wear a conservative and somber type of dress. The dark dress code is usually accepted and shows a sign of respect.
Spirituality, Religion, and Faith
Hispanic individuals also have a faith that is intimate and reciprocal with their family members and the community. The behavioral measure of religiosity among the Hispanic people is based on the frequency in which the individuals read the religious scriptures go to church and seek the clergy and support of the priest. The relationship between the religiosity and spirituality of Hispanic individuals is determined by the doctrines of a given denomination.
Conclusion
Most Hispanics are of the Roman Catholic church; they follow the doctrines of the church, believe in prayers and often request a priest to pray for them and their sick members. Through their religion, they believe in life after death, where they believe that souls do not die but are eternal. As a White Caucasian, I have learned a lot of unique ways of life from the group and I embrace some, such as having cereals as a staple food.
Reference
Overcash, F., & Reicks, M. (2021). Diet quality and eating practices among Hispanic/Latino Men and Women: NHANES 2011-2016.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3), 1302. Web.
Lopez-Maya, E., Olmstead, R., & Irwin, M. R. (2019). Mindfulness meditation and improvement in depressive symptoms among Spanish- and English speaking adults: A Randomized, Controlled, Comparative Efficacy Trial. PloS one, 14(7), e0219425. Web.
U.S Department of Health & Human Services (2021). Profile: Hispanic/Latino Americans. Minority Health. Health & Human Services. Web.
Johnson, M. J., & Farquharson, H. R. (2019). Hispanic culture and healthcare in the United States: One person’s perspective. Journal of Nursing Research Practice,(4), 1-2.