The Puerto Rican Americans - Essay Example

The Puerto Ricans Americans College Puerto Ricans are a mixture of a few races Taino Indians, African Americans and White. The descendants of the White race have colored eyes, and those with dark eyes descended from the African Race. The Puerto Ricans forms quite a significant number of the Hispanic Population in the United States where they have contributed to the development, defense and prosperity of the country since 1898. The culture of Puerto Rican population is influenced by Puerto Rico's Afro-Spanish history.

Its family unit and community dynamics have a strong Spanish influence. History of immigration The history of Puerto Ricans in the United States began in 1898 as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans migrated into the US in search for better economic conditions and employment. This was made possible by the US manufacturing companies which needed laborers during wartime. Puerto Rican migrants to the US first settled in New York City and later other cities like Chicago, Philadepia, Boston, Cleveland, Miami and Tampa found jobs in service and industry sector.

Women found work from textile industry as; it was leading form of employment while men in urban Cities worked in the service industry. Men found jobs in steel manufacturing, shipping, auto assembly, meat packing, and other industries. Dressing traditionally in Puerto Rico is the same to other Caribbean people in the Islands. Men wear baggy pantaloons, which are trousers and loose cotton shirts known as a Guayaberra. For celebrations, women wear colorful dresses. The traditions and beliefs of Puerto Rican population are affected by Puerto Rico's Afro-Spanish history.

Puerto Rican culture and customs go hand –in-hand with the Catholic religious traditions of Spaniards and the pagan beliefs of the West African slaves. Most Puerto Ricans are staunch Roman Catholics they observe traditional church liturgy, rituals, and traditions. Puerto Rican people love music and to dance as they are popular for throwing vast and elaborate parties with music and dancing to celebrate festive events. Puerto Rican music is polyrhythmic, having a combination of intricate and complex African percussion with melodic Spanish beats.

The Puerto Ricans language is Castillian Spanish, derived from ancient Latin. The distinct difference between Spain Spanish and Puerto Rico Spanish is pronunciation. Puerto Rican family unit and their community have enormous Spanish influence. This tends to show the intensely patriarchal social organization of Euro, Spanish culture. Husbands and men are heads of their households and are crowned to be community leaders. Male children, who are older, are expected to be responsible for their younger siblings.

Women get responsible for the everyday running of their homes. Both the Puerto Ricans, both men and women care for their children seriously and have pivotal roles in child upbringing; children are expected to show respect towards parents, elders and older siblings. Girls are raised to be quiet and submissive, and boys are meant to be more assertive. The family unit is extensive; its system is based on the Spanish Compadrazco which refers to co-parenting which means many members of the not only parents and siblings are taken to be part of the extended family.

Challenges and accomplishments As Puerto Ricans are incorporated into the mainstream of the American culture, most of the younger generations moved away from Eastern urban cities and New York City, taking well-paying white-collar and professional jobs and most of them have acquired US citizenship, which freed them from immigration barriers with the enactment of the Jones -Sharof Act. English started to be taught to many elementary school children in the Puerto Rican public schools, although Spanish still remains the main language on the Puerto Rico Island.

Bilingualism is widespread among urbanized, young and professional Puerto Ricans. The long exposure of Puerto Ricans to the American society, language, and culture has generated an exclusive slang. This slang is usually known to most Puerto Ricans as Spanglish. Puerto Ricans places importance on the education of the island young people; the American public education system is compulsory. Puerto Ricans traditionally is against divorce and giving birth out of wedlock. As young people increasingly move into mainstream American culture, traditions and beliefs seem to be fading.

Contributions to the American culture Puerto Ricans has led to development of American culture and economy through interactions, work and business activities. They have also been involved in civic participation. There are many ways in which Puerto Ricans have contributed to better policies. This is through protests, campaign contributions, lobbying, and voting. References Alvarez, M. (1992). Puerto Rican Children on the Mainland: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. New York: Garland Pub. Fitzpatrick, K.

Joseph, P. (1987). Puerto Rican Americans: The Meaning of Migration to the Mainland. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Hauberg, Clifford A. (1975). Puerto Rico and the Puerto Ricans. New York: Twayne. Perez, M. & Andres, I. (1996). Speaking with the Dead: Development of Afro-Latin Religion among Puerto Ricans in the United States: A Study into Inter-penetration of Civilizations in the New World. New York: AMS Press. Urciuoli & Bonnei (1996). Exposing Prejudice: Puerto Rican Experiences of Language, Race, and Class.

Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Van Middeldyk, R. (2011). The history of Puerto Rico: from the Spanish discovery to the American occupation. D.Appleton and company. Indiana University