Culture and Its Social Contracts

Author

Institution

Introduction

The comprehension of culture has always been considered fundamental in the understanding of the behavior and traits of individuals in particular societies. Culture is defined as the totality of the socially transmitted beliefs, behavioral patterns, institutions, arts, as well as all other products pertaining to human thought and work. While this is the case, the behavior of human beings has mainly been dictated by the rules and regulations pertaining to the governing bodies under which the individuals live (Haerens, 2011). This is especially considering the social contract under which contemporary human societies live, where they surrender their rights and freedoms to the state so as to allow the state to safeguard their remaining freedoms and rights. This may be clearly understood through close examination of the Latino community or culture, within the precincts of the economic, social and political structures.

Economic structure of the Latino culture

The closing years of the 20th century came with fundamental changes in the socioeconomic landscape of the United States society as evidenced by its Latinization. As at 2009, Latinos were projected to occupy the rank of the largest ethnic minority group (Haerens, 2011). While the society experienced increases in population, as well as economic, educational and political advances in the last several decades, about a third of its populace wallow in poverty. Indeed, a large number of Latino workers are relegated to the lowest rungs in the United States economy, where they find themselves becoming increasingly re-concentrated and displaced in conditions of structural unemployment and underemployment (Avalos, 2004).

The socioeconomic situation in which Latinos live may be directly traced back to the inexorable emergence of the global economy, as well as the recent economic policies pertaining to expansion especially NAFTA. NAFTA has reduced the participation of Latinos in labor provision through transferring well-paying jobs in the manufacturing industry to other “cheap labor” manufacturing centers throughout the world (Avalos, 2004).

Social structures of the Latino community

Latino American families are fundamentally characterized by the extended family, which undertakes a key role in the lives of family members. In essence, there is frequent interaction and strong bonds among numerous kin, with individuals in the extended families living either nearby or within the same compound. Apart from their cooperative nature, individuals are expected to place the familial needs ahead of their own, an aspect that has resulted in the erroneous conclusion that individual advancement and achievement is impeded by family (Arreola, 2004). At an extremely early age, Latino American kids are expected to learn the importance of rigid sex role definitions, deep familiar responsibilities, reverent and respectful treatment accorded to the elderly, as well as the position of the man that comes with authority and respect in the family. As much as a considerable proportion of the male authority may gradually be decreasing as the role of women continues to be redefined, scholars have noted that women in Latino communities are still taking up a subordinate position (Arreola, 2004). Indeed, fathers are accorded authority and prestige, with sons having significantly more independence at an earlier age compared to daughters. Underlining the value that Latinos place on the extended family structure is the fact that parents usually arrange for companion parents or godparents for a child. This also shows that Latinos place immense value on other adults apart from the immediate parents (García, 2003). Not only would these “alternative” parents give advice and correct the child, but they are also expected to respond to the needs of the child.

Political structures of Latinos

The increasing populations of the Latino community have resulted in an increase in political activity and push for political representation. It is well understood that the Latino communities have immense numbers of immigrants (both legal and illegal) in the United States (García, 2009). This means that Latinos are faced with distinctive challenges pertaining to the economic interests and foreign policies of the United States and their countries of origin (Avalos, 2004). However, the increased participation may be demonstrated by the increased number of protests and that occur throughout the cities in the United States, largely comprised of Latinos among other immigrants in an effort to call for action against unfair and punitive policies especially pertaining to immigration reforms (García, 2003). Indeed, the increasingly visible participation by the Latino community underlined the broadening and expansion of the Latino political community.

How the development of this culture has been affected by its social contract

While Latino community may have become one of the most significant minority communities in the United States, its growth and development has continuously been crippled by the “social contract” that Latinos have made in the formation of the society. This is especially considering their largely immigrant status, whether legal or illegal (Arreola, 2004). Their history as immigrants has made it extremely necessary that they only trust their own and seek no cooperation with individuals that they consider as outsiders. They tend to gravitate around their own, which is why scholars have believed that their familial ties have been coming between them and their progress both as individuals and as communities at large (García, 2009).

References

Haerens, M. (2011). The U.S. Latino community. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven Press.

Arreola, D. D. (2004). Hispanic spaces, Latino places: Community and cultural diversity in contemporary America. Austin: University of Texas Press.

García, B. L. (2009). Latino politics. Cambridge: Polity.

García, J. A. (2003). Latino politics in America: Community, culture, and interests. Lanham, Md. [u.a.: Rowman & Littlefield.

Avalos, H. (2004). Introduction to the U.S. Latina and Latino religious experience. Boston: Brill Academic.