Psychological issues for Latinas.

Abstract

Latinos, people of Latin American descent, are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, yet psychologists have only recently begun to conduct studies specifically focusing on this population. Psychological knowledge of the Latina population (e.g., women of Latin American descent) is even less developed. This dearth of information stems from the relative invisibility of Latinos, the challenges presented by their demographics, and the tendency of the discipline to ignore ethnic and gender differences. In this chapter, we review four topics that we consider to be of central importance to understanding Latinas in the United States and to their integration into the mainstream of feminist psychology. These are (a) the Latino family and extended family, (b) gender attitudes within the Latino community, (c) Latina education and work life, and (d) mental health issues of special significance to Latinas. We first provide a historical context for our understanding of today's Latina in the United States.

The Ethnic Context of Child and Adolescent Problem Behavior: Implications for Child and Family Interventions

“…In contrast, marianismo requires that women model or emulate the Virgin Mary by sacrificing their own needs for their husbandÕs and childrenÕs needs, valuing sexual purity, providing emotional and instrumental support to family members, and maintaining traditional gender roles (Gil & Vasquez, 1996;Ginorio, Gutierrez, Cauce, & Acosta, 1995). In addition, marianismo involves the ability to maintain strong family traditions of familism, respeto, and personalismo (attending to othersÕ needs and wishes).…”

The Impact of Family Obligations on Young Women’s Decisions During the Transition to College: A Comparison of Latina, European American, and Asian American Students

“…Fulfillment of family obligations did not differ by generation status, and there were very few first generation Latina students in our sample. These results suggest that the fulfillment of family obligations is not just a function of being from a family that recently immigrated (Ginorio et al 1995). Third or higher generation Latinas fulfilled family obligations just as often as did second generation Latinas, and these behavioral demands were greater than for the Asian American women, whose families more recently immigrated.…”

“…However, these demands are not always consistent with the expectations many parents place on their children to prioritize family needs over individual needs (Ginorio et al 1995). Particularly in Latino and Asian American groups, both of which tend to be characterized by family interdependence (Marín and Marín 1991;Markus and Kitayama 1991), the extent to which adolescents have to fulfill obligations to their family may impact their decisions during the transition to college, including where to live and how much to work.…”

Multicultural and Gender Influences in Women's Career Development: An Ecological Perspective

“…This form of passive discrimination (Betz, 1989) has been labeled the null environment by Freeman (1989) and is one that neither actively encourages nor discourages, but ignores the individual. Teachers may also not appreciate culture-based expectations for role behavior and achievement for girls of color that may interfere with academic success, for example, heavy domestic responsibilities that Latinas tend to carry (Ginorio, Gutierrez, Cauce, & Acosta, 1995). Teachers who engage in such practices have been educated in a macrosystem that reinforced the development of sexist and racist ideologies.…”