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Ministry to Hispanic-Americans

Anguiano, S. (1997, March). Contextualized ministry to ethnic communities. A latin legacy. Ministry to Hispanic-Americans. Theology, News, and Notes, pp. 21-22.

OVERVIEW

Today, Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic minority in America. Hispanic children to comprise a majority in many public schools of Los Angeles. The Hispanic population is diverse; they converge in the U.S. from many different countries. However, there are cultural similiarities among most Latinos. For example, the cohesion in the nuclear family and the use of Spanish as primary language in the first and second generation families.

Although the Latino population enjoys preserving and celebrating its culture, even within the U.S., Latino and Anglo families need each other—especially in the church. In fact, adolescents of third generation Hispanics desire more diversity in the congregations. This yearning is more clearly understood through the words of the article’s author:

The third-generation family is usually English speaking—responding to the need to secure a place in the American culture. What is important to remember, however, is that while the mother language may be lost, the cultural norms of family organization and family values may not be lost.

U.S. churches are trying to serve Hispanic families by planting predominantly Hispanic churches. However, many Hispanics would rather assimilate into established congregations; they would feel more comfortable in a ethnically diverse congregation which better reflects a multicultural America.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

  1. 1.Who are the third-generation Latino Americans that you know? How do they feel about this subject?
  2. If you are a Latino American, do you agree with the author’s suggestion that third generation Latino Americans want more diversity within the church? Explain.
  3. What can you learn from third-generation Hispanics?
  4. Would you like to see more ethnic diversity in your congregation? Explain.
  5. Are there other arenas in your life (schools, neighborhoods, malls, clubs, etc.) that are not ethnically mixed? Do you prefer it that way? Would you like it to be different? Why or why not?

IMPLICATION

It is very important that the Church supports and builds diversity in order to reach out to the adolescents of third generation Hispanics.

Nora Garcia cCYS

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Psychological distress and alcohol use in hispanic adolescents

Alatorre, S. (1995, August). Psychological distress and alcohol use in hispanic adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 24(4), 481-497.

OVERVIEW

Ethnic minority status has been considered a stressor for many cultural groups. For Hispanic adolescents, many sociocultural experiences related to acculturation process are perceived as stressful. Some problems related to acculturation include language use, intergroup relations, and family dynamics.

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Psychological distress and alcohol use in hispanic adolescents

Alatorre, S. (1995, August). Psychological distress and alcohol use in hispanic adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 24(4), 481-497.

OVERVIEW

Ethnic minority status has been considered a stressor for many cultural groups. For Hispanic adolescents, many sociocultural experiences related to acculturation process are perceived as stressful. Some problems related to acculturation include language use, intergroup relations, and family dynamics.

Read more

Ministry to Hispanic-Americans

Anguiano, S. (1997, March). Contextualized ministry to ethnic communities. A latin legacy. Ministry to Hispanic-Americans. Theology, News, and Notes, pp. 21-22.

OVERVIEW

Today, Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic minority in America. Hispanic children to comprise a majority in many public schools of Los Angeles. The Hispanic population is diverse; they converge in the U.S. from many different countries. However, there are cultural similiarities among most Latinos. For example, the cohesion in the nuclear family and the use of Spanish as primary language in the first and second generation families.

Although the Latino population enjoys preserving and celebrating its culture, even within the U.S., Latino and Anglo families need each other—especially in the church. In fact, adolescents of third generation Hispanics desire more diversity in the congregations. This yearning is more clearly understood through the words of the article’s author:

The third-generation family is usually English speaking—responding to the need to secure a place in the American culture. What is important to remember, however, is that while the mother language may be lost, the cultural norms of family organization and family values may not be lost.

U.S. churches are trying to serve Hispanic families by planting predominantly Hispanic churches. However, many Hispanics would rather assimilate into established congregations; they would feel more comfortable in a ethnically diverse congregation which better reflects a multicultural America.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

  1. 1.Who are the third-generation Latino Americans that you know? How do they feel about this subject?
  2. If you are a Latino American, do you agree with the author’s suggestion that third generation Latino Americans want more diversity within the church? Explain.
  3. What can you learn from third-generation Hispanics?
  4. Would you like to see more ethnic diversity in your congregation? Explain.
  5. Are there other arenas in your life (schools, neighborhoods, malls, clubs, etc.) that are not ethnically mixed? Do you prefer it that way? Would you like it to be different? Why or why not?

IMPLICATION

It is very important that the Church supports and builds diversity in order to reach out to the adolescents of third generation Hispanics.

Nora Garcia cCYS

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