Ethnic Identity, Acculturation, and Perceived Discrimination for Indigenous Mexican Youth

Ethnic Identity, Acculturation, and Perceived Discrimination for Indigenous Mexican Youth
Author: Saskias Casanova
Publisher: Stanford University
Total Pages: 417
Release: 2011
Genre:
ISBN:

Policymakers, practitioners, and educators frequently group Latina/o immigrant adolescents within a single homogenous category, thus creating a problem in understanding their diverse experiences. To explore these diverse Latina/o adolescent experiences this dissertation cross-culturally compares patterns of ethnic identity and acculturation across a group of Indigenous (Yucatec Maya) immigrant Latino/a adolescents in the U.S. with Yucatec Maya adolescents residing in Mexico and with non-Indigenous immigrant Latina/o adolescents in the U.S. How do ethnic identity, acculturation levels, perceived discrimination, and sense of school belonging compare across Yucatec Maya adolescents in the U.S., non-Yucatec Maya Latina/o adolescents in the U.S., and Yucatec Maya adolescents still in Mexico? What roles do individual factors such as gender, language, generation level, and external factors such as family, cultural practices, ethnic community networks, and peer relationships take in the adolescents' lives in the U.S. and in Yucatan? The study draws on ethnic identity and acculturation frameworks as they relate to perceived discrimination (the study of how the person targeted by discrimination reacts and interprets these acts) and to the adolescents' feelings of belonging at school. The participants included 65 Latina/o non-Yucatec Maya heritage adolescents living in the Los Angeles, California area, 66 Mexican Maya heritage immigrant adolescents living in San Francisco, California or the Los Angeles, California area, and 70 Mexican Maya heritage adolescents living in Yucatan, Mexico. All 201 adolescents took a survey incorporating measures of ethnic identity, acculturation, perceived discrimination, and school belonging. Thirty-eight of the adolescents participated in semi-structured interviews that explored attitudes toward school, culture, discrimination, family, community, and peers influencing the adolescents. Quantitative findings expose the intra-group differences across Yucatec Maya and non-Yucatec Maya Latina/os adolescents and the discrimination faced by the growing population of Yucatec Maya adolescents within the Latino/a immigrant groups. Language, gender, and generation all play roles in the amount of peer and adult perceived discrimination experienced and the distress caused by perceived discrimination across Indigenous and non-Indigenous adolescents. The quantitative findings ultimately show that Indigenous adolescents have different psychological and cultural experiences when compared to non-Indigenous Latina/o adolescents. Being Yucatec Maya, first generation, male, and/or knowledgeable of Maya would put the adolescent at a higher risk of experiencing more perceived discrimination acts and distress. More perceived discrimination from adults also relates to adolescents in the U.S. (both Yucatec Maya and non-Yucatec Maya) resulting in lower levels of school belonging. The qualitative findings across the non-Yucatec Maya adolescents, Yucatec Maya adolescents in the U.S., and Yucatec Maya adolescents in Mexico reveal an in depth look at multiple perspectives surrounding cultural and ethnic identity, cultural practices, American culture, discrimination, school, family, and peers. Specifically for the Yucatec Maya adolescents, the interviews provided a lens into their sentiments about the Maya culture and preserving the culture for future generations. The interviews reflect the agency, reclamation of culture, and lived experiences that make up the Indigenous and non-Indigenous adolescents of this study. The study exposes the Yucatec Maya youth's resilient Indigenous identity that emerges regardless of the discrimination they face from non-Latina/o/non-Mexican groups as well as from their own Latina/o/Mexican communities. This understanding is needed to provide more comprehensive resources and services to these adolescents.

Language Shift Among the Navajos

Language Shift Among the Navajos
Author: Deborah House
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
Total Pages: 162
Release: 2002
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9780816522200

Discusses the alarming reduction in the speaking of the Navajo language on the reservation, mapping out some of the intricacies of relations between the English and Navajo languages and the teaching of them, explaining why and how Navajos are having difficulty maintaining their native language, and making suggestions as to what can be done about this.

Indian Education

Indian Education
Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. Special Subcommittee on Indian Education
Publisher:
Total Pages: 1166
Release: 1969
Genre: Indian children
ISBN:

Nationalist Myths and Ethnic Identities

Nationalist Myths and Ethnic Identities
Author: Natividad Gutierrez
Publisher: U of Nebraska Press
Total Pages: 391
Release: 2015-11
Genre: History
ISBN: 0803288603

This timely study examines the processes by which modern states are created within multiethnic societies. How are national identities forged from countries made up of peoples with different and often conflicting cultures, languages, and histories? How successful is this process? What is lost and gained from the emergence of national identities? Natividad Gutiérrez examines the development of the modern Mexican state to address these difficult questions. She describes how Mexican national identity has been and is being created and evaluates the effectiveness of that process of state-building. Her investigation is distinguished by a critical consideration of cross-cultural theories of nationalism and the illuminating use of a broad range of data from Mexican culture and history, including interviews with contemporary indigenous intellectuals and students, an analysis of public-school textbooks, and information gathered from indigenous organizations. Gutiérrez argues that the modern Mexican state is buttressed by pervasive nationalist myths of foundation, descent, and heroism. These myths--expressed and reinforced through the manipulation of symbols, public education, and political discourse--downplay separate ethnic identities and work together to articulate an overriding nationalist ideology. The ideology girding the Mexican state has not been entirely successful, however. This study reveals that indigenous intellectuals and students are troubled by the relationship between their nationalist and ethnic identities and are increasingly questioning official policies of integration.

Handbook of Multicultural Counseling

Handbook of Multicultural Counseling
Author: Joseph G. Ponterotto
Publisher: SAGE
Total Pages: 948
Release: 2001-04-25
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 9780761919841

"This second edition of the Handbook of Multicultural Counseling marks an important turning point. It brings together the voices of some pioneers who have paved the way, and introduces us to new voices, who, while influenced by the pioneers, have taken different paths. Because the multicultural community is well represented in content and scholarship in this second addition, the reader can be assured that the view points represented in this book speak to the core issues of the field. I am excited about this Handbook because the authors answer the question that is often heard at many a conference: Where is the research to support multicultural counseling? I am equally excited about this Handbook because it breaks new ground by using as its anchor, oral histories, which demonstrates that for many of us multicultural counseling is not simply a research agenda, but a life long journey, that cannot always be measured. The underlying theme of social justice only reinforces our commitment to this journey. Drs. Ponterotto, Casas, Suzuki, and Alexander have once again helped shape the multicultural conversation. To those who have often said, "Where is the research," look not further." --From the forword by Donald B. Pope-Davis, Ph.D., Professor, University of Notre Dame The Second Edition of the Handbook of Multicultural Counseling presents a completely reconceived work building on the strengths of the first, reflecting the developments that continue to expand the profession of multicultural counseling. Eighty-five scholars in the field offer their perspectives, providing breadth and depth, as well as new visions for the discipline. This edition has been expanded to include more coverage of: Historical perspectives on the field Professional and ethical issues Counseling role in fighting oppression Psychological measurement theories Research design Gender issues and higher education issues The Handbook of Multicultural Counseling, Second Edition, is a critical resource for counselors, counseling students, and other mental health professionals who are seeking to improve their competence in treating a culturally diverse clientele.

Living Through the Generations

Living Through the Generations
Author: Joanne McCloskey
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2022-10-18
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0816550891

Navajo women’s lives reflect the numerous historical changes that have transformed “the Navajo way.” At the same time, in their behavior, beliefs, and values, women preserve the legacy of Navajo culture passed down through the generations. By comparing and contrasting three generations of Navajo women—grandmothers, mid-life mothers, and young mothers—similarities and differences emerge in patterns of education, work, family life, and childbearing. Women’s roles as mothers and grandmothers are central to their respected position in Navajo society. Mothers bestow membership in matrilineal clans at birth and follow the example of the beloved deity Changing Woman. As guardians of cultural traditions, grandmothers actively plan and participate in ceremonies such as the Kinaaldá, the puberty ceremony, for their granddaughters. Drawing on ethnographic interviews with 77 women in Crownpoint, New Mexico, and surrounding chapters in the Eastern Navajo Agency, Joanne McCloskey examines the cultural traditions evident in Navajo women’s lives. Navajo women balance the demands of Western society with the desire to preserve Navajo culture for themselves and their families.

Psychological Selection and Optimal Experience Across Cultures

Psychological Selection and Optimal Experience Across Cultures
Author: Antonella Delle Fave
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2011-02-02
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 9048198763

What does Western science know about the relationship between individual well-being and cultural trends? What can learn from other cultural traditions? What do the recent advancements in positive psychology teach us on this issue, particularly the eudaimonic framework, which emphasizes the connections between personal well-being and social welfare? People grow and live in cultures that deeply influence their values, aspirations and behaviors. However, individuals in their turn play an active role in building their own goals, growth trajectories and social roles, at the same time influencing culture trends. This process, defined psychological selection, is related to the individual pursuit of well-being People preferentially select and cultivate in their lives activities, interests, and relationships associated with optimal experience, a state of deep engagement, concentration, and enjoyment. Several cross-cultural studies confirmed the positive and rewarding features of optimal experience. Based on these evidences, this book offers a new perspective in the study of human behavior. Highlighting the interplay between individual and cultural growth trajectories, it conveys a core message: educating people to enjoy engagement and involvement in activities that can be relevant and meaningful for social welfare is a premise to foster the harmonious development of human communities, and the peaceful cohabitation of cultures.

Weaving Women's Lives

Weaving Women's Lives
Author: Louise Lamphere
Publisher: UNM Press
Total Pages: 332
Release: 2007
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9780826342782

Well-known anthropologist Lamphere highlights the voices of three generations of Navajo women who are weaving their traditional beliefs with modern American culture to create a new blueprint for their lives and the next generations.

Resiliency in Native American and Immigrant Families

Resiliency in Native American and Immigrant Families
Author: Hamilton I. McCubbin
Publisher: SAGE Publications, Incorporated
Total Pages: 480
Release: 1998-06-11
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN:

This book brings a fresh perspective to family and social ties which promote resiliency in Hawaiian and Native American, Asian American and Latino // Hispanic American cultures. The contributors give extensive examples of the ceaseless war between cultures where too often holistic and socially cohesive practices have been torn apart by growing westernization and materialism.