Hispanic is a term created by the United States (U.S.) federal government in the early 1970s in an attempt to provide a common denominator to a large, but diverse population with connection to the Spanish language or culture from a Spanish-speaking country. Over the past 20 years, this population has exhibited tremendous growth in the U.S. In fact, Hispanics have become the fastest growing U.S. minority group. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2000), the Hispanic population is growing seven times faster than the non-Hispanic.
Today, approximately 33 million individuals (12 % of the U.S. population) are identified as Hispanics. From this total, 66.1 % are Mexicans, 14.5 % are Central and South Americans, 9 % are Puerto Ricans, 4 % are Cubans and 6.4 % are other Hispanics. Furthermore, 81 % of all Hispanic households in the U.S. are "family" type.
The Hispanic family is considered a very close-knit group and the most important social unit. The term familia usually goes beyond the nuclear family. The Hispanic family unit includes not only the parents and their children but also the extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.). Furthermore, godfathers and godmothers, who may not necessarily be blood related, are considered family members. Traditionally, in most Hispanic families, the father is the head of the family, and the mother is responsible for the home. Individuals within the family unit have a moral responsibility to aid other members of the family, who may be experiencing financial difficulties, unemployment, poor health, or other pressing life issues.
Family ties are very strong. For example, when someone in the family travels to another town, city, or even country for an education or for a short visit (business, vacation, medical reasons), staying with relatives or even with friends of relatives is a common practice. Entire families and even friends of the family often gather to celebrate birthdays, baptisms, first communions, graduations, weddings, and holidays. Hispanic families instill in their children the importance of honor, dignity, pride, and respect for authority and the elderly. An example of the latter is the use of titles of respect before people's first names such as Don or Doña. When I was growing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I would listen to my friends refer to my father as Don Julio. Now my friends here in the U.S. tell their children to address me as Don Julio. It makes me feel kind of old.
Preserving the Spanish language within the family unit is a common practice in most Hispanic homes. However, even though Hispanics share the same language, their cultures may vary to some extent.