The Quest for Visibility in Adult Education: The Hispanic Experience

Abstract

Because human capital ideological assumptions drive most adult education programs serving Hispanics, the real social needs of Hispanics are overlooked in most adult educational programs.

Island Diasporas: Perceptions of Indo-Caribbean Protégés Regarding the Effects of their Cross-Cultural Mentoring Experiences in the United States

“…Mentors who were Black, Black-Jamaican, and Hispanic by virtue of being minority cultures in the United States shared an appreciation for cultural acceptance, visibility, increased achievement, socialization, trust and relationship building, consistent with existing research (Brathwaithe-Gardner, 2006;Carter, 2000;Jeria, 2002;Taylor, 1995;Waterman, 2007;White, 2006). These factors became tools mentors used to enhance participants' learning.…”

“…For Latin Americans, mentors from different cultures have increased protégés' visibility in academic, organizational and political spaces, although they still face academic, career and personal development challenges (Bond, Gray, Baxley, Cason, & Denke, 2008;Bernal, Alemn, & Carmona, 2008;Holst, 2006;Jeria, 2002;Okawa, 2002;Roland, 2008;Staikidis, 2006;Vassoler, 2008). For Native-Americans, mentors from different cultures have fostered trust building, communication, and empathy regarding cultural difference and tribal beliefs (Anderson, Belcourt, & Langwell, 2005;De Lapp, Hautman & Anderson, 2008;Waterman, 2007).…”

“…(Lave & Wenger, 1991). Cultural differences that stem from ethnicity and cultural perspectives are ingrained in one's cultural identity and can enable enduring adult learning experiences through social, cognitive and behavioral interactions that form connections, and affirm or contest cultural assumptions (Jeria, 2002;Lee & Sheared, 2002;Vygotsky, 1979). Understanding unique and often complex aspects of various cultures realistically prepares individuals as they adjust to cultures that are different from their own (Brislin, 1999).…”

“…Latin Americans. Although Latin Americans have encountered xenophobia, inequality and oppression they have successfully broken barriers allowing them to become more visible, and their voices to be heard in academic, organizational and political spaces (Bernal, Alemn, & Carmona, 2008;Holst, 2006;Jeria, 2002;Vassoler, 2008). Latin American students believe that mentors could be helpful in furthering their college self-efficacy, academic goal definition, career and personal development and program satisfaction (Bond, Gray, Baxley, Cason, & Denke, 2008;Okawa, 2002;Roland, 2008;Staikidis, 2006).…”

“…Minority refers to an individual or group of individuals who are collectively less in number than other groups in the United States (Jeria, 2002).…”