An Ethnography of Emerging Latino Music Scenes

We report on an ethnographic study of three emerging scenes in which Latino music is produced, performed, experienced, and celebrated in Houston, Texas: rock en Espanol, gay Latino dance music, and professional soccer supporters' music. Music is an important feature of Latino culture, since it informs migration, citizenship, spirituality, and other aspects of the contemporary Latino experience. Three interactionist concepts inform this study. The concept of scene directs our attention to the comprehensive social worlds driven by Latino music. The concept of idioculture directs our attention to the ways audience members experience Latino music within everyday life small groups. The concept of place directs our attention to how Latino music creates new locations to anchor the self in reference to country of origin, present music communities, or possible symbolic locations such as America or La Raza. We conclude with suggestions for a revised interactionist concept of music scene.     

Gender and Ethnicity: Patterns of Electoral Success and Legislative Advocacy Among Latina and Latino State Officials in Four States

SUMMARY

In this article we examine the patterns of gendered representation and related legislative advocacy within Latino delegations to four state legislatures in the Southwest. Most agree that one of the most significant changes in American politics in the post-civil rights era is the increasing election of women and people of color, but there is less agreement about the magnitude, consistency, and impact of this representation. Moreover, little is known about how these patterns vary by state. First, we examine the patterns of gendered and ethnic election in the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas from 1990–2004. We find considerable variation across these states, relative to both women and Latinos, but the presence of Latinas within the Latino/a delegation has noticeably increased across all the states and at a rate that outpaces the increase in women in the legislatures overall. Second, using original survey data supplemented with elite interviews, we explore perceived differences in the representational priorities and related behaviors, issue agendas, and policy successes between Latinas and Latino men. We find a number of similarities but also find distinct differences that reveal Latinas place greater emphasis on representing the interests of multiple minority groups, promoting conflict resolution, and building consensus in both the legislature as a whole and within the Latino caucus. Latinas also are more likely than Latino men to introduce and successfully pass legislation that addresses the issue agenda held by both Latina and Latino legislators.     

Creating a Latino/Hispanic Alliance

Abstract

The author presents an overview of the significance that key cultural elements such as race, color, and language have on affecting coalition building between and among Latinos/Hispanics in the U.S. A discourse on a proposed paradigm for coalition building is also presented.     

A study of the use of business improvement initiatives: the association with company size and level of national development

This paper investigates the awareness, use and effectiveness of improvement initiatives in organisations of different sizes and in different countries. In particular, comparisons are made between large firms and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), between organisations in the developing and developed worlds and between organisations in China and India and the rest of the developing world. A questionnaire survey of 453 organisations across 44 countries was conducted with the findings indicating that there are significant differences in comparability of tools. For some tools there are no significant differences between developed and developing countries as well as between large organisations and small organisations. For other tools, there are significant differences with organisations in developing countries, in general, more aware and more likely to use business improvement initiatives when compared to organisations in developed countries. Similarly, organisations in China and India have a higher awareness of and are more likely to adopt improvement initiatives when compared to the rest of the developing world. Finally, larger firms are more aware and more likely to use improvement initiatives when compared to SMEs.     

Exploring Dimensions of Culturally Sensitive Clinical Styles with Latinos

Abstract

This study sought to identify dimensions of culturally sensitive clinical practice by comparing the personal clinical styles of Latino and non-Latino clinicians, and their clinical decisions in respect to Latino immigrant clients. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Sixty Latino American clinicians and 47 non-Latino (White) clinicians in Northern California completed the Achieving Styles Inventory (ASI) which yields information on direct, instrumental and relational styles. Demographic data were obtained as well as information on language proficiency and years of clinical experience. Statistical analysis included uses of t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis and revealed significant differences between the two groups in personal achieving styles within all three domains. There were no significant differences on the demographic variables. Nine clinician members of each ethnic group were interviewed in-depth through non-directive interviewing styles to assess their clinical decision making via use of a case vignette. Content analysis pointed to similarities and differences in proposed assessment and intervention strategies. The Latino group displayed more culturally relevant interpretations. The non-Latino clinicians were more directive and instrumental than the Latinos who put more emphasis on self disclosure, case management, use of Spanish with the client, and crisis intervention. This finding is consistent with both the quantitative data analysis of ASI hypotheses and the expected linguistic/cultural findings of the qualitative content analysis. Bilingual non-Latino White clinicians showed more cultural sensitivity and competence than the monolingual non-Latino clinicians. These findings suggest that linguistic/cultural match and linguistic/cultural compatibility are important in cross-cultural clinical practice.     

A Stage of Migration Approach to Understanding Nursing Home Placement in Latino Families

ABSTRACT

This article introduces a dual application of Drachman and Ryan's stage of migration framework by applying the framework to an analysis of experiences of 25 nursing home residents with a prior history of migration from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The stages of premigration and departure, transit, and resettlement are discussed in relation to research findings about the residents' earlier migration to the mainland United States and more recent move into a nursing home. Implications for social work practice with residents, families, and as members of interdisciplinary teams are addressed.     

The Elder Latino Population in Holyoke,MA

Abstract

Holyoke's elderly Latino population's needs, as well as their patterns of service utilization, were explored through detailed interviews of 13 individual elders and a focus group of an additional 10 participants. The research uncovered a gap in the web of resources available, with some services, such as medical care, functioning well. However, there continue to be unmet needs, particularly in the areas of transportation, social and recreational activities, and sense of safety. Negative perceptions of aging and complaints of anxiety, depression, and boredom are also an area of concern.

The barriers to use of services were also explored. Recommendations for the enhanced provision and utilization of services, many suggested by the elders themselves, are offered. Implications for social work research and policy on, and practice with, Latino elders are discussed.     

Low‐Income Latina Mothers' Expectations for Their Pregnant Daughters' Autonomy and Interdependence

Forty‐five pregnant Latina adolescents and their mothers (23 English‐speaking, 22 Spanish‐speaking) were videotaped conversing about feelings and plans related to the adolescent's pregnancy. The prevalence of the mothers' messages about the daughter's reliance on the family unit (interdependence) and the daughter's self‐sufficiency (autonomy) were related to adolescents' reported and observed feelings about their pregnancies, pending motherhood challenges, and their relationships with their mothers. Increased interdependence messages appeared to denote positive family relations among Spanish‐speaking dyads, in that these adolescents reported more positive feelings about their pregnancy, perceived that their mothers felt more positive, and perceived more maternal social support and open communication. The role of interdependence messages was less clear for adolescents from English‐speaking families. Higher levels of maternal autonomy messages had positive associations for both groups, in that it was related to higher disclosure about concerns about childcare needs among adolescents from English‐speaking families, and about educational goals for adolescents from Spanish‐speaking families.     

The Validation of the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief on an Older Latino Sample

Abstract

Purpose: Bereavement is considered to be one of the most profound experiences in older adulthood. However, assessments of emotional reactions to grief and loss have often been based on measures tested on primarily Anglo samples. This study examined the validity and factor structure of a commonly used bereavement measure on an older Latino sample.

Design and Methods: Using convergent and discriminant validation procedures, this instrument was tested using a purposive sample of 134 older, recently bereaved Latinos.

Results: While the instrument was originally designed to measure two domains of grief: Past Behaviors and Present Feelings, confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor solution for this sample which included also Disbelief of the loss. Items within this domain included anger, rejection, and a sense of injustice.

Implications: This study underscores the need for improved measures in research on grief and bereavement to capture the intensity and severity of grief in a cross-cultural context.     

Social Support and Caregiver Strain

Informal social supports have been consistently associated with the physical and mental well-being of the elderly. In this study the associations between sense of strain and three types of social support are described for a sample of 131 spouse caregivers. Adverse social contacts were associated with increased strain, while positive contacts were insignificant. When sources of social support were examined daughters figured prominently, as important sources of both positive and adverse social contacts. Findings also emphasize the importance of interventions which include friends, neighbors, and others.