Mexico-group

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__**Culture**__ Terrazas, A. (2010) Mexican Immgirants In The United States. //Migration Policy Institute.// Retrieved on 4/23/2010 from Mexican immigrants mainly settle in "traditional" destination states like California and Texas, which combined are home to well over half of this group. But over the last two decades, the foreign born from Mexico, like other immigrant groups, have begun moving to "nontraditional" settlement areas. The Mexican-born population in the United States was larger than the total populations of all but seven US states: California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. As Mexican immigrants have settled in increasingly diverse destinations across the United States, their origins have become more diverse as well. In 1995, the top states of origin of Mexicans migrating to the United States were the four central-western Mexican states that had traditionally sent most migrants to the United States for much of the 20th century: Guanajuato (17.6 percent), Michoacán (16.6 percent), Jalisco (7.4 percent), and Zacatecas (6.1 percent). At that time, these four states accounted for almost half of all Mexicans migrating to the United States, but by 2008 they accounted for less than one-quarter of the flow. (Enlly)
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Altarriba, J., and Bauer, L. "Counseling the Hispanic Client: Cuban Americans, Mexican Americans, and Puerto Ricans." //Journal of Counseling & Development// 76 (0): 389-396. //EBSCOHOST//. Retrieved 18 Apr. 2010. from: [] This article provides description of the background, cultural values, and belief systems of Cuban Americans, Mexican Americans, and Puerto Ricans. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California have the largest sections of Mexican American population. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 path the way for Mexicans to migrate to the United States. Migration was extremely popular during the 1880s - 1940s. During these times, Mexican labor workers were hired for blue collar jobs. Mexico is located in the southern portion of North America. The United States and Mexico are not divided by water, which allows the Mexican American population to return to Mexico more easily than other Hispanic groups. Close family relationship plays an important role in traditional Mexican American society. In addition, they place high value on Allocentrism and simpatia. Regarding gender roles: Cultural pattern of machismo, man shows manliness and courage. The women of the family are to be kept at home and daughters are often prohibited from dating unless accompanied by a family member or close friend. Respect is an important value in these families. Elders are treated courteously and respectful. The household may at times include relatives outside of the nuclear family. (Enlly)

Rivera-Batiz, F. (2003).//The State of Newyorktitlan: A Socioeconomic Profile of Mexican New Yorkers//, fColumbia University. Retrieved 18 Apr. 2010 from: http://faculty.tc.columbia.edu/upload/flr9/Mexican-Report.doc Mexicans now compose the third largest Hispanic group in the City (only Puerto Ricans and Dominicans have a greater presence). New York is now one of the top 15 cities in the concentration of Mexicans in the U.S. Mexican population of New York reside mostly in Brooklyn and Queens, a total of 61.2 percent. The main neighborhoods where Mexican live are: Brooklyn: Sunset Park, Bushwick, Queens: Elmhurst, North Corona and Jackson Heights. In addition, there is a large concentration in East Harlem. The main reason why Mexicans migrate is to search for new source of employment. The other reasons are: threat of anti-immigration legislation, economic crisis in Mexico, undocumented immigrants under the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which allowed many undocumented Mexicans mobility to the United States. The lastest estimates provided by the INS of the overall illegal alien population residing in New York State for the year 200 show that population to be at 480,000. The place of origin of Mexican New Yorkers differs sharply from that of the overall Mexican migrant population in the U.S. The great majority of Mexican immigrats in New York were born in the states of Puebla. (Enlly)

 Fuentes, N. (2007) Constructing Borders/Crossing Boundaries: Race, Ethnicity and Immigration. A division of Rowman & littlefield Publisher, Inc. pp 95-110. //Google books //. Retrieved 4/1/2010 from [|http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=rzBBUKRO4DwC&oi=fnd&pg=PA95&dq=literature,+mexicans+in+NYC&ots=Ey4bpuVcZ-&sig=A4qneT5JkXhBSLkYJ1oCy0iKwu8#v=onepage&q=&f=false] The book Constructing Borders/Crossing Boundaries by Caroline B. Brettell speaks on racial issues mexican women faced when they migrated to nyc in 1990's. The author made a study that revealed race, household and gender structures affect Mexican immigrants in 1900's. Furthermore, many Mexican immigrants arrived directly into diversified city-wide and nyc suburban neighborhood. Many mexican women rely on their partners/spouses to help with immigration and work integration. According to the surveyed administered by the author, Dominican and Mexican women earn the lowest salaries among the gender groups. The survey also revealed that the main jobs for male mexicans when they arrive to NYC are in restaurants. Labor markets are segregated, but despite this segregation Mexicans continue to be visible in many establishments. I chose this book because it speaks on some of the issues women face when they migrate to NYC. The main issue is obtaining employment based on looks. (Enlly)

 Ramos-Sanchez, L. and Atkinson, D. (Winter 2009) "The Relationships Between Mexican American Acculturation, Cultural Values, Gender and Help-Seeking Intentions." //Journal of Counseling & Development // 87 (0): 62-69. //PsycINFO //. Retrieved 24 Apr. 2010. from: [|http://web.ebscohost.com.cwplib.proxy.liu.edu/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=13&sid=561d736f-49ca-4cae-a094-e0e4e7b2c62a%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JmxvZ2lucGFnZT1Mb2dpbi5hc3Amc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZl#db=psyh&AN=2008-19113-009%23db=psyh&AN=2008-19113-009%23db=psyh&AN=2008-19113-009] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">Mexican Americans lose their culture of origin and increase their generational status, their attitudes towards help seeking becomes less favorable. Traditionally there is an assumption that Mexican values are family oriented individuals, machistas, religious, and believer of folk illness (santeria). Mexicans have a strong bond with family members regardless of generation. Often times many generations live in one household. Usually there is a great respect for older members of the family as well as the male figure. Machismo is another prominent value, which refers to male superiority. Moreover, folk illness is the belief that the help of a folk healer can cure mental illness. They practice Catholicism, the belief in a greater power and have an admiration for the Virgin of Guadalupe. Their values affect their intentions to seek professional assistance from the helping professionals. (Enlly)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">** __SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS__ ** Rivera-Batiz, F. (2003).//The State of Newyorktitlan: A Socioeconomic Profile of Mexican New Yorkers//, from Columbia University Web site, [] Mexicans make up New York City’s fastest growing ethnic group. A third of Mexican households live under the poverty line, which is more than double the poverty rate in the overall city. The poverty and limited earning opportunities, is a result of the young age of the unskilled labor force and the low education attainment. Only one third of all Mexican migrant adults have achieved an elementary education, while immigrant teenagers have the lowest retention rate in all of New York City. Mexicans, both documented and undocumented, make up the unskilled niches of the city’s labor force inhabiting jobs in manufacturing, construction and food service, where they are subject to low wages, poverty and exploitation. Sixty four percent of Mexicans live in married households. This figure signifies the high value placed on the importance of the family structure in Mexican culture. I chose this report because of its specific focus on the social and economic challenges faced by Mexican immigrants in New York City. The charts included have been helpful in understanding the dynamic family structure, employment and per capita income of the Mexican students that I will be counseling. This knowledge will aid in the process of expanding my multicultural competence. (Deanna)

Martinez, I. (2009). What’s Age Gotta Do With It? Understanding the Age-Identities and School-Going Practices of Mexican Immigrant Youth in New York City. //High School Journal, 92//, 34-48. Retrieved March 10, 2010, from [] Many school age Mexican immigrant youth, come to the United States unaccompanied to join the unskilled, undocumented workforce. In the last few years, New York City has become the most recent destination for these youths who come to fulfill the financial needs and expectations of their families in Mexico. Many send remittances back home to their family in Mexico, while others work full time so that they can use their earnings to support the school participation of their siblings here in New York. I selected this journal article, because it aided in making me aware of the responsibility placed upon Mexican immigrant youth that prohibits many from enrolling in formal schooling. This information will help me as a counselor, in making me more knowledgeable of my Mexican student’s family background in term of the roles and expectations placed on them, and the way in which increased responsibility, can contribute to early transition into adulthood. (Deanna)

** __EDUCATION__ ** McKinley Jr., James C. (2009) Hispanic Immigrants’ Children Fall Behind Peers Early, Study Finds. //The New York Times//. Retrieved on 3-8-2010 from @http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/us/21latina.html?_r=1&emc=eta1 Although Mexican immigrant children, start out on the same intellectual and health level as children from other Latino and American ethnic groups, by the age of two, they have disproportionately lower cognitive scores. These differences are attributed to the high percentage of Mexican immigrant mothers having less formal schooling than the average American mother. They also tend to have more children than middle class families, which lessons the amount of individualized attention. In addition, infants from poor households, receive less encouragement to read and participate in educational games. I chose this article because it goes beyond the simplified explanation that the low social economic level of Mexican immigrants is to blame for the educational gap between Mexican and American students. The dynamic does much to explain the lasting impact of the first few years of life on the disparity of academic achievement between Mexican and American students in the High School years. This study has made me aware of the challenges faced by Mexican immigrant children in New York prior to entering the classroom. I believe this knowledge will be an aid in developing effective strategies to attempt to lessen this gap so that they can gain academic success. (Deanna)

Howell, R., Landa, R., Rosenfield, N. (2008). Si, Se Puede!. Cuny Matters. pp 10 & 11. Retrieved on 3-11-10 from ** [] ** The majority of Mexican immigrants in the United States are not knowledgeable about educational opportunities. Many in the community drop out of school, or do not continue with higher education because they believe that college is “not for Mexicans” and is only for the rich. A significant number of children are growing up in homes where no family members attend college and they do not know what it is. In the 2005 Census, only 28% of Mexican immigrants over the age of 25 had a high school diploma, while 9% had a BA or higher. I selected this article because as a counselor in training it provides me with information regarding the ways in which I can keep students informed of the various career and educational opportunities available. It is important for me to know that in many cases, the information I give Mexican immigrant students regarding scholarships, financial aid, job and academic training programs etc. might be the only source of information and encouragement they may be receiving regarding possibilities for their future. In addition, this article has helped further increase my awareness of the struggles that many students face in staying in school and achieving higher education. I am also considering reading one student narrative from this article during the presentation, to illustrate the struggles encountered. (Deanna)

MALDEF & National Women’s Law Association. (2009) //Listening to Latinas: Barriers to High School Graduation.// Retrieved from [] Latinas are currently experiencing a serious dropout crisis in the American school systems. The challenges of poverty, immigration status, limited English proficiency, and gender stereotypes are some of the many barriers that prevent Latinas from graduating. Forty-one percent of Latinas do not graduate in four years, if at all, and 53% are pregnant by the age of twenty. I chose this video clip narrating the story of Lucy, a Mexican woman and a former high school dropout, because it helped provide insight into the way in which the lack of expectation, beyond dropping out and getting pregnant, makes them feel that what they do doesn’t matter. I am planning to share this narrative with the class, because I believe that hearing Lucy’s reality in her own words will be effective in gaining insight into some of the challenges that our students will face. This clip has helped me understand the importance of encouragement and empowerment in working with Mexican students who are considering dropping out of school. (Deanna)

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**__Language__**

Burton, T. (2008). Did You Know? Sixty-two indigenous languages still spoken in Mexico, Mexconnect. Retrieved on 3-1-2010 from: __[]__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 144%;">Based on the author of this article there are still 62 indigenous languages spoken in Mexico. The author, further states, that Mexico is the most linguistically diverse country in the world. This statement brings to mind the questions, what happens to Mexicans speaking these indigenous languages when they come to America since Mexicans in America are categorized as Spanish speaking Latinos. Do they fall through the cracks considering that they don't speak either English or Spanish? How are their children being helped in our school system? Is the percentage of Mexicans in this category so low that there is no reason to create other categories and are thrown in the same pot as other Spanish speaking Mexicans? or is the diversity of the languages so large that it makes it difficult to help them. These are very important questions and a learning experience for me since I have always been under the impression that all Mexicans spoke the Spanish language, thus, giving credibility, to my belief, since Mexicans in America are categorized as Spanish speaking Latinos and because Mexicans that I have been in contact with have spoken in either the Spanish and English language or both. (Moses)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 144%;">Gorman, A. (2007). Immigrant Children Grow Fluent in English, Study Says. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 3-1-2010 from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Most Mexicans that come to America believe that success comes with learning the English language. They are aware that English leads to higher paying jobs and integration into the American mainstream. To this day, this belief continues as free local English classes at public libraries, community colleges and other community based centers are packed with non-English speaking students hoping to learn the language. Another fact is that third generation U.S. born children of Mexican immigrants do not speak Spanish. These facts dispels the notion by most Americans that the English language in this country is in jeopardy because of Hispanics or Mexican immigrants. The massive growth of immigrant Latinos in America and the growing problems in the American school system with children that do not speak English, as well as, the many years of advocacy and human rights movements are the reasons why America is leaning toward a Bilingual nation. It is not that the English language is in jeopardy, but rather, that Spanish is leaning towards becoming the second language of this country. Today, almost everywhere you go information is posted in both English and Spanish. If you make a phone call, the operator will say press one for English and two for Spanish, if you pick up a pamphlet it will most likely be in both languages. Just recently, I checked the New York State Civil Service website, and for the first time ever, they have updated it to be read in many languages including Spanish. I have also spoken to many African Americans who are enrolling themselves in Spanish classes in order not to be left out of the job market that gives preference to Bilingual individuals. In my opinion, it is inevitable that many more years down the road America may officially adopt the Spanish language as the second official language of the country and Mexican immigrants would not be the ones to be blamed, since a large percentage continue to aspire to excel in this country by learning English. It is America, itself, who continues with their effort, making it easy for immigrants to begin to feel that the need for English is not that necessary. (Moses)

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**__Religions and Beliefs__**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Merrill, L.T., & Miro, R. (1996). Mexico-**//Religion//**. Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress. Retrieved on 2-262010 from [] Catholicism is the main religion of Mexicans. However, the practice of this religion varies depending on what part of the country they come from. Intellectual, educated and politically oriented Mexicans from the central Western states, bordering the United States are inclined to practice the religion in it's modernized version. On the other hand, Mexicans, living in isolated rural areas practice the religion based on traditional folk practice. Regardless of the differences, Mexicans share a common belief in the C atholic's icon of the Virgin Mary, known as the Virgin of Guadalupe. This saint is of significant importance to Mexicans. The solid belief derives from the accounts of Juan Diego, an indigenous Mexican who tells the story of the appearances of the Virgin on the hill of Tepeyac, in Mexico. Juan Diego's original cloak, as stated in the article, with the Virgin image imprinted on it, is displayed in a shrine built specifically for the virgin where Mexicans go to worship. In America, Mexicans traditionally carry symbolic items of the saint for the purpose of protection and guidance. If you ride in a cab with a Mexican driver you can be certain that a display of a picture of the saint will be hanging from the view mirror or a picture tucked in their wallet or even a necklace with the image on it. This interesting article taught me that although most Mexicans are catholics, they have different cultural values and customs that influences how the religion is practiced. Raised a Catholic myself, the Virgin of Guadalupe is not the main focus of worship as it is to Mexicans. While we also have displays it would be in the form of a rosary. Knowledge of this difference will help me as a counselor to understand the Mexican client's religious sensitivities when establishing a positive connection. (Moses)

Althaus, D. (2009). Mexico's Catholics Begin Pilgrimages. //Believe Out Loud Houston Belief.// Retrieved on 2-26-2010 from: __[]__ Every year during the month of December Mexicans from all angles of the country, begin their pilgrimage. This quest involves visiting places of sacred and holy sites, such as the area where the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared and other sites of great importance. They do this until they reach their final stop at the church where they attend mass, leave notes of their petitions and to be blessed by the priest. It is interesting how Mexicans practice the Catholic religion in their country. At these holy sites they worship by dancing, wearing floral crowns, as if in assimilation of Jesus's thorny crown and drink the water that streams from an ancient cypress tree which they believe is blessed. This practice is so different than the way that I have known the religion to be and honestly I felt a tinge of ritualism in their methods. As a Catholic here in America I have never worn flowers on my head or danced before any statue of a saint. What I have experienced however, is that during Palm Sunday, the church walks through the local neigborhood playing out the event of Jesus Christ's path to his crucifixion with hundreds of followers singing religious songs. All my life I always believed that all Catholics worshipped in the same fashion until I read this article. I learned that the cultural values, customs and life experiences of any particular race including Mexicans, influences how the Catholic religion is practiced. (Moses)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> Pape, E. (2003). So Far From God, So Close to Ground Zero, //Los Angeles Times Magazine//. Retrieved on 3-15-2010 from [] To begin to understand the Religion and Beliefs of Mexicans in New York City one has to begin at the root of where it all began. Only then will we begin to understand why Mexicans practice their beliefs in New York City the way they do. That is the reason I particularly chose the previous annotations on Mexican Religion because it gives insight into the beginnings of their beliefs. This article discusses those differences. Let's take Spanish Harlem, for instance, an area in El Barrio that was primarily dominated by Puerto Ricans has through the years become the new home of the many Mexicans who migrated and made their new home away from home in this part of New York City. So high is the population of Mexicans in El Barrio that it is being known as "Little Puebla". If you take a walk along El Barrio today, you will immediately, get a feel of their culture and as I previously mentioned, a culture that they bring back with them from Mexico and incorporate into the American mainstream, in their own way. For example, in the religious aspect, Mexicans continue their tradition of worshipping the Virgin, New York style. Their annual pilgrimage is now taking place right here in New York. The quest begins all along fifth Avenue past all the top corporate stores until they reach St. Patrick's Church and their final destination at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in lower Manhattan. I learned that Mexicans are very expressive about their religious beliefs. Local bodegas, barbershops and even a radio station "La Mega" which targeted mainly the Puerto Rican population is now blaring in this community with topics related to Mexican culture. When I visit El Barrio, which I seldom do, I see images of the virgin in restaurants, businesses and murals and just about any place where Mexicans live; a contrast to how Puerto Ricans, who once dominated this area, expressed what they found to be important to them by exhibiting their passion for the art of music. A lingering trace of this still exists, in this now dominant Mexican area, which is a large mural of the finest Puerto Rican musical masters, Tito Puente, Ray Barretto and Charlie Palmieri etched on the wall of a building near the number 6 street train station. (Moses)