Ethics Week 7

Four Hispanic American Groups

Hispanic American Diversity

Ralph M. DeLellis

ETH/125 AXIA College

Heather Marnell

10/2/2011

Dominican-Americans

As of the year 2000 there were 799,768 Dominicans who were immigrants living in the United States. A shrinking job market and political unrest led to immigration to the U.S and nearly 600,000 settled in the New York City area, making up seven percent of the population. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). In fact, some areas of New York City are just like being in the Dominican Republic. People in the Dominican Republic are 16% white, 11% black, and 73% mixed with a strong African-American influence. As for religion, there is a strong Spanish influence as it is 95% Catholic with some Protestant, Voodoo, and other religions making up the last five percent. The official language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish, therefore only seven percent of those in the United States use only English at home.

While most Hispanics are likely to lean toward the Democratic Party, Dominicans in the U.S. pay more attention to politics in the Dominican Republic than in the United States. Their literacy rate is 83%, with those having at least a high school education at fifty one percent. Less than eleven percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The poverty rate is 27.5%. The average Dominican household has four people, and most households are family. Less than 16% are non-family households. Of the four groups of Hispanics, here Dominicans have the lowest median family income of $28, 729. Only 20% own their own homes, the rest rent. (U.S. Census, 2000).

Puerto Rican-Americans

Puerto Ricans have the distinction of being U.S. citizens. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. Almost 99% of the population is native and both English and Spanish are spoken. Heavy population and insufficient jobs led to immigration to the mainland of the United...