The future of marriage and hispanics

Abstract

At least two important demographic changes will occur in the United States in the future: the growth of the Hispanic population and the growth of the second and third generations among Hispanics. We argue that the expansion of the Hispanic population is unlikely to slow the retreat from marriage, despite the pronuptial cultural orientations of some groups of immigrants and their native‐born coethnics. On the contrary, the second‐ and third‐generation descendents of immigrants will join in the retreat from marriage as a result of their exposure to the cultural and economic environment of the United States, as well as changes in the countries from which their immigrant parents originate. Sources of uncertainty about this scenario are noted.

The Effects of Acculturative Stress on the Hispanic Family

“…In this chapter we take the position that the Hispanic family is not monolithic and that these families, like all families, encounter daily stressors that often culminate in broken relationships and divorce. More importantly, we agree with Oropesa and Landale (2004) that acculturative stress and exposure to American culture will erode the traditional values associated with marriage among Hispanics and their descendents.…”

“…A different approach to the question of marital cohesion and distress focuses on changes in economic dependency between the husband and wife (e.g., Teachman, Tedrow, and Crowder, 2000;Oropesa & Landale, 2004). The median income for Hispanic men declined from $18,800 in 1980 to $16,200 in 1997, and as more Hispanic women enter the labor force, economic independence may be propelling divorce rates (Teachman et al, 2000).…”

“…As Mexican Americans acculturate they come into direct contact with an American individualist ethos that some researchers hypothesize is the factor behind the American "culture of divorce" (Oropesa & Landale, 2004). This American ethos conflicts with Mexican traditional values of family unity, but it is likely that more acculturated Mexican Americans, especially woman, are pulled more in the direction of the values of 20 their adopted country and come to see divorce as a viable option to marital discord.…”

“…However, most research has focused on the effects of divorce on middle-class White American families. While there has been an increase in research on marital instability among Black American families (McLoyd, Cauce, Takeuchi & Wilson, 2000), there is much less information about evolving family structures among Hispanics (Vega, 1990;Oropesa & Landale, 2004). Further, there is a dearth of information on the divorce rates among Hispanics and what effect they might be having on children.…”

“…Further, we will utilize a theoretical framework that capitalizes on acculturative stress and coping in our analysis of the marital bond in Hispanic families. Oropesa and Landale (2004) in their assessment of the future of marriage among Hispanics note that migration is stressful and risky, and requires flexibility in responsibilities and roles for immigrants to experience success in their new 3 environment. This coupled with the greater freedom enjoyed by women in the United States may result in changes in the role that marriage has traditionally played in Hispanic culture.…”