Mexican Americans
Where Were They From: Mexico represents the largest source of immigration to the United States. Of the 32.5 million foreign born covered in the March 2002 CPS, 9.8 million or 30 percent were from Mexico.
When: During the 1850s and 1880s there was an agricultural boom in the United States and there was desperate need for additional labor who could give a helping hand on the farms. Opportunities became several as more and more people started growing different kinds of crops and exporting them.
What region of the US did they settle: New destinations for Mexican immigrants emerged in the late 1990s. The four states with the largest Mexican immigrant populations—the traditional settlement areas of California, Texas, Illinois, and Arizona—continued to attract migrants, but a much larger share went to new destinations. The share of Mexican immigrants residing in these four states dropped from 89 percent in 1990 to 72 percent in 2002, while the number residing in these states increased by 87 percent from 3.8 million to 7.1 million.
What occupations did they take part in: Mexican immigrants work as plumbers, bricklayers, mechanics, cleaners, helpers, and much more. A person who went to school and studied a bit is obviously not going to do any of these jobs. The best way for anyone is to hire an illegal immigrant, make money and also allow them to make money. This is a big win-win situation for illegal immigrants and their employers. Today, there are several reasons in macro economics that is attracting the illegal immigrants from Mexico to come into America.
What are the family patterns, Rituals: The Mexican family
life is guided by their good old golden rules. These include assigning gender based roles to the different members of the family. The man is to be the maintainer and protector of his woman and family whereas the home is the woman’s domain. The girls of the family are also kept under strict control until the time they get married. Admittedly, with the proliferation of modern pop culture this is becoming less frequent, especially in urban environments. Men have the traits of Machismo having pride and confidence in themselves and their families. The real essence of the Mexican family lifestyle comes into play in the many events that they hold.
Mexican family traditions become evident through a number of family oriented occasions. Wedding is one such family celebration that is adorned with elaborate rituals. Another family centric occasion is quinceanera, the fifteenth birthday of a woman that is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur.
Are they a group that appreciates schooling: Primary education is free and compulsory for all children through the age of 15. Parochial schools were legalized in 1991. Secondary schools emphasize vocational and technical training. Although adult illiteracy has been a major problem, successful government campaigns have raised the literacy rate from less than 50 percent in the early 1940s to more than 92 percent of people aged 15 or older in the late 1980s.
What are the basic demographics today? 107 Million in 2008 (Source: INEGI, derived from 2005 census data)
More than 25 percent of households with a Latino member had a family of five or more members in 2002. Mexican-American households (30.8 percent) had the highest percentage of households consisting of five or more members. The Mexican population is composed of three main groups: the people of Spanish descent, the Native Americans, and the people of mixed Spanish and Native American ancestry, or mestizos. Of these groups, the mestizos are by far the largest, constituting about 55 percent of the population. The Native Americans total about 30 percent. The society is semi-industrialized.
Fun Facts:
A country rich in history, tradition and culture, Mexico is made up of 31 states and one federal district. It is the third largest country in Latin America and has the largest population—more than 100 million—making it the home of more Spanish speakers than any other nation in the world.
Mexico City was built on a lake?
Mexico introduced chocolate to the world?
Mexico is the most populous Spanish speaking country in the world?
Salma Hayek is the first Mexican movie star to reach success in the U.S. since Dolores Del Río in the twenties?
The currency is the peso Mexicano?
In the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries, the Aztecs used the poinsettia leaves to dye fabric for clothing and the sap for medicinal purposes, including to help control fevers?
Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, an amateur botanist and first United States ambassador to Mexico, introduced the plant that became known as the poinsettia to this country?
Mexico City is sinking at a rate of 6 to 8 inches a year because it's built on top of an underground reservoir. Wells are drawing out more and more water for the city's growing population of more than 15 million people?