The effects of acculturalization on attitudinal familism in 452 Hispanics compared to 227 White non-Hispanics were examined. Despite varied national origins, Hispanics reported similar attitudes, indicating that familism is a core characteristic in the Hispanic culture. The high level of perceived family support remained unchanged despite changes…

Urban adaptation among Mexican Americans resulting in the rise of youth street gangs is assessed in this article within a framework that examines the adaptation's ecological, economic, cultural, and psychological aspects. It is argued that difficulties in changing to Anglo-American patterns have been exacerbated by living and working conditions…

Although Latino youth have slightly lower rates of alcohol use than Anglo youth, evidence suggests that as Latinos acculturate their rates of use increase to match those of the Anglo adolescent population. In light of these cultural patterns, a study examined the reactions of young adult males of Latino origin to television beer and non-beer…

Increasing gang membership among Mexican-American adolescents is rooted in a cultural context and reflects a desperate attempt to gain some control over barrio life marked by low employment, poverty, and discrimination. Discusses the decision-making process involved, and recommends three ways schools can reframe their views towards these students,…

This publication is intended as a resource guide for teachers, students, and librarians interested in Mexican American culture, and for groups wishing to conduct local community research using oral histories. The Mexican American Traditions in Nebraska project was designed to document and preserve the richness of Nebraska's Mexican culture. The…

Relationships between participant ethnicity, acculturation level, counselor model of helping, and ratings of counselor credibility were examined using an analogue research design (N=199). Results suggest that aspects of Mexican American culture support the use of, rather than underutilize, counseling services. Implications for counselors and…

Results of survey of Hispanic Americans' attitudes toward assimilation show that changes in their cultural patterns and movement toward assimilation were minimal. Hispanics generally want to be Americans with political and economic clout but also desire their own cultural identity. (SA)

Discusses the content and historical experience of Southwestern cultures and the self-concept/evaluation that sets critical boundaries between cultural types. Describes a typical Mexican community and deals with the cultural reactivity of the Mexican. Available from Centro de Publicaciones, Department of Chicano Studies, California State…

A 37-item questionnaire was administered to 255 Chicago Hispanics to determine if Hispanics favor assimilation or pluralism or some state in between. Respondents included 23% Mexicans, 36% Puerto Ricans, 29% Cubans, and 11% South Americans. Of these, 33% were blue collar workers, 60% teachers, and 7% high school students. A total of 89% were born…

A 12-item acculturation scale developed for Hispanics correlated highly with the respondents' generation, length of residence in the United States, age at arrival, ethnic self-identification, and with an acculturation scale. Language use, media preferences, and ethnic social relations were the three factors accounting for 67.6 percent of the total…

Investigates 60 female Hispanics to determine the relationship of acculturation to the variables of attitudes toward women, sex-role attribution, sex-role behaviors, and demographics. Positively correlates greater acculturation with more liberal attitudes toward women, single status, more education and younger age. Negatively correlates greater…

Recent research in cultural diversity has concentrated on the complexity of ethnic and racial identity. This study measures the bicultural and global-human identities among first- and second-generation, Mexican-American adolescents. The participants, (84 male, 93 female) from Los Angeles high schools, had both parents of Mexican descent (60 of the…

A common assumption among many social scientists is that identification with Mexican-American culture inhibits the development of a positive self-concept and upward mobility among members of this group. Consequently, many sectors of society have argued that complete acculturation is the most desirable goal for the Mexican-American population. The…

Some health researchers have used the concept of acculturation to explain health behaviors or illnesses prevalent among Hispanic people. This paper reviews studies in health, educational, and social science research among Hispanics and argues that acculturation studies are seriously limited by several basic conceptual and methodological problems.…

Presented here are a series of classroom exercises in cross cultural communication for teachers of English to students whose native language is Spanish. These classroom exercises focus on a variety of topics including: (1) the definition of a culture; (2) stereotypes; (3) cultural conceptions of space and time; (4) societal values; (5)…