Cultural Group: African American and African

A brief history of the cultural group

• The second largest ethnocultural group in America.
• Descendants of Africans brought as slaves.
• Africans are coming between 1619 and 1860 (Purnell, 2014).
• Gained freedom after the ratification of the 13th Amendment.
• The long struggle for equality in civil rights.

Values and Worldview

• Putting a high value on education.
• The great significance of family ties.
• Attention to authentic African traditions.
• Strong moral considerations and discouragement of immoral behavior.
• The strong impact of religious values.

Language and communication patterns

• English as a dominant language.
• Informal African American version of English.
• Open expression of feelings with friends and family.
• Interpersonal, animated, and confrontational communication.
• Loud, dynamic, and expressive speech (Giger, 2014).

Art and other expressive forms

• Influenced by authentic African art.
• The major role of folk artists.
• Art roots found in skilled slaves.
• Romantic and classical tendencies after Civil War.
• The strong impact of Harlem Renaissance.

Norms and rules

• Extended families frequently living together.
• Usual involvement in diverse church activities.
• Respectful behavior to adults and elderly.
• Strong support from the Black community.
• A strong feeling of ethnic identity (Bosley, 2017).

Lifestyle characteristics

• The majority of matriarchal families.
• Many people living below the poverty level.
• Usually oriented on work and achievement.
• Significance of social status within a community.
• The strong impact of the church (Christian and others).

Relationship patterns and common rituals

• Respect and obedience to the older generation.
• The ritual of family reunion.
• Strong family connections through generations.
• Diversity of death rituals, including “voodoo death.”
• Traditional African American funeral services (Giger, 2014).

Degree of assimilation or marginalization from mainstream society

• Assimilation depends on the time of immigration.
• Stronger assimilation among American-born individuals.
• Preservation of authentic African rituals.
• Assimilation of language used in communities.
• Marginalization of African American communities.

Health behaviors and practices

• Health care frequently neglected due to poverty.
• Preference of family care rather than providers.
• Visiting healthcare providers only in emergency.
• Frequent use of home remedies and folk healers.
• Low degree of treatment adherence (Purnell, 2014).

Socio-Cultural Group: Mexican Heritage

A brief history of the socio-cultural group

• Newer immigrants living in America for 5-6 generations.
• The peak of immigration after 1848.
• Immigration caused by high poverty in Mexico.
• Cases of lynching of Mexicans and Mexican Americans.
• Many working immigrants after 1910.

Values and Worldview

• Family as the first priority.
• Value of good education for children.
• Respect for older people ad those in higher positions.
• Importance of high social status.
• Support of family members and relatives (“Mexican family culture,” 2018).

Language and communication patterns

• Diversity invariants of Spanish language.
• Frequent use of both English and Spanish.
• Importance of verbal communication.
• Short personal distance during a conversation.
• Touch is not common in public.

Art and other expressive forms

• Mariachi style of folk music.
• World-famous artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
• Traditional folk art: colorful garments.
• Silver-smithing, pottery, mosaics, and textiles.
• Use of Mexican mythology symbols.

Norms and rules

• Men are responsible for the financial support of families (Purnell, 2014).
• Women take care of home and children.
• Both patriarchal and matriarchal households.
• Extended families living close to each other.
• Highly supportive with family and relatives.

Lifestyle characteristics

• Importance of academic education and a respected position.
• Focus on diplomacy and tact.
• Care for the prosperity of the clan.
• The strong impact of religion on life.
• Preference for traditional national cuisine.

Relationship patterns and Common rituals

• Decisions are taken after consulting the family.
• Preservation of customs and traditions.
• Demonstration of affection between family members.
• Significance of God parenting in families (“Mexican family culture,” 2018).
• Importance of patron saint days (“The Mexican culture,” n.d.).

Degree of assimilation or marginalization from mainstream society

• Assimilation depends on the period of immigration.
• Generally the low level of assimilation.
• Language barrier to assimilation.
• Impact of identity choice and desire to assimilate.
• Communities marginalized from mainstream society.

Health behaviors and practices

• High rates of individuals who smoke.
• Family as a credible source of health care.
• Broad application of herbs and teas.
• Belief in common cultural illnesses.
• Preference of folk healthcare providers (Purnell, 2014).

Both Groups

A comparison and contrast analysis of common characteristics and distinguishing traits between the groups

• Common high role of family.
• Similar respect for authentic traditions.
• The strong role of religion for both communities.
• Attention to folk art in culture.
• Different degree of assimilation in society.

A discussion of differential approaches needed by health care professionals.

• The necessity of considering cultural peculiarities.
• Consideration of communication patterns.
• Attention to folk remedies used by patients.
• Discussion of health issues with family members.
• Involvement of family in patient education.

References

Bosley, D. (2017). Cultural norms in the African-American population. Web.

Giger, J. N. (2014). Transcultural nursing: Assessment and intervention (6th ed.). St. Louis, MR: Elsevier

The Mexican culture. (n.d.). Web.

Mexican family culture: Important values, traditions, and beliefs. (2018). Web.

Purnell, L. D. (2014). Guide to culturally competent health care (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company.