In The Community
Despite Latinas in the U.S. leading the charge as the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in 2023 and despite the rise of Bachelor’s Degree attainment among them, Latinas continue to feel the pressure of gender role expectations often imposed within Latino culture. A recent Pew Research Center study has shed light on just how much pressure Latinas in America are under.
The study, conducted through a bilingual National Survey of Latinos, captured the voices of over 5,000 Latino adults, offering invaluable insights into the Latina experience in the U.S. One striking finding reveals that more than half of Latinas feel the weight of dual pressures: the expectation to provide for their families and the drive to succeed in their careers. They often find themselves caught between two cultures, each with a different set of expectations, which can feel like walking a tightrope between tradition and modernity.
The study acknowledges that some Latinas in the U.S. are still brought up with traditional Latino values. Marianismo, the cultural archetype that emphasizes qualities like self-sacrifice and devotion to family in women, is still quite prevalent. Leading 53% of Latinas to feel the pressure to care for children or senior family members, provide financial support to families, or live near them. At the same time, 36% of Latinas feel pressure to achieve academic or professional success.
One of the key insights of the study is that it reveals stark disparities within the Latina community, particularly between U.S.-born people and immigrants. U.S.-born Latinas are more likely to feel the weight of gender expectations and societal pressures, reflecting the influence of acculturation on perceptions of identity and gender roles. Among Latina adults born in the U.S. 66% say they feel pressure to get married and have children, compared to 47% of Latina immigrants who report the same pressure.
The Pew Research Center’s study also revealed that Latina women are more likely to say that sexism is an issue than Latino men because they experience it in many aspects of life, including work, school, and entertainment media like movies, TV, and music. For instance, 52% of Latina women say sexism is a big problem at work, while only 44% of Latino men say the same.
Ultimately, the study confirms many of the nuanced challenges Latina women face in the United States, not just due to cultural expectations, traditional gender roles, and societal stressors, but also due to systemic issues like gender-based discrimination. Even in the face of such issues, Latina women seem to prevail and thrive, contributing greatly not just to their families, but also to society by being productive members of it.
To that point, the study found that “88% of Latinas are either extremely or very satisfied (56%) or somewhat satisfied (32%) with their family life,” and “86% say they are extremely or very happy (43%) or somewhat happy (43%)” with how their lives are going. However, the matter remains nuanced; another Pew Research Center study revealed Latinas perceive both progress and stagnation.
For instance, Latina women show higher rates of educational attainment, with a notable surge in bachelor's degree holders from 16% in 2013 to 23% in 2023. Additionally, more and more Latinas are pursuing graduate degrees. Latinas’ engagement in the workforce has also increased from 65% to 69% in 2023. Economically, Latinas have made strides as well, with a 17% rise in median hourly wage over the last decade, from $16.47 in 2013 to $19.23 in 2023, according to the study.
However, these victories are contrasted by issues that have remained static, like the gender pay gap. The study showed that, in 2013, Latina women earned 89 cents for every dollar a Latino man earned. In 2023, they earned 85 cents for every dollar earned by a Latino man. Moreover, the study shows Latina women still make less than non-Latinas, earning only 77 cents for every dollar in 2023. It’s unsurprising that while half of surveyed Latinas say the situation has improved in the last 10 years and nearly half expect further improvement in the next 10 years, a notable portion, 39%, say that the situation hasn’t changed and 34% say it will remain that way for the next decade.
Shedding light on the complexities of the Latina experience in the U.S. is crucial for policymakers, employers, and communities to develop strategies that support the advancement of Latina women. It’s also proof that though Latina women have come a long way, there’s still much progress to be made.
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Few words are as prominent as “gratitude,” especially in the Latino community. We’re constantly reminded to be grateful for everything we have. While the practice is encouraged as a habit for improved mental health and it’s indeed important to be grateful, there are healthy limits to how grateful one should be. Enter toxic gratitude, which isn’t defined by a genuine sense of thankfulness, but by a sense of forced obligation.
There isn’t much research about toxic gratitude amongst Latinos, but culturally speaking, it’s not uncommon for both non-U.S. born and U.S. born Latinos to be discouraged from asking for what they actually deserve in the workplace, or be told not to make any waves and avoid any potential problems.
Where does the Latino gratitude problem come from and how does it negatively impact Latino social, economic, and personal progress?
The toxic gratitude problem
The difference between gratitude and toxic gratitude lies in intention. Where gratitude comes naturally, stemming from a genuine sense of thankfulness, toxic gratitude is something we force on ourselves to either suppress negative emotions or ignore real problems. For example, you’re a Latino in the corporate world and you’ve been climbing that ladder. Lately, you’ve been working yourself even further to the bone because you’re aiming for a coveted promotion.
When the time comes, the promotion goes to your white co-worker, who happens to be well-connected and hasn’t put in even half the work you have. That would make you feel all kinds of frustrated, angry, exhausted, and sad. In turn, these emotions would make you want to do something, like talking to your manager about it or even considering looking for a job in a company that will value your efforts.
Instead of feeling those emotions and potentially taking action, the voice in your head goes: “Everything happens for a reason, I should just be grateful for what I have. Thank God I even have a job.” While that’s a seemingly harmless thought, it’s a form of self-repression. Not only are you telling yourself that it’s not okay to feel how you feel, but you’re also talking yourself out of advocating for what you know you deserve.
That voice in your head has probably been nurtured by your Latino parents and grandparents, who have taught you that you have to work for what you want, but you also have to keep your head down. If you prove yourself through your work, the people in power will notice and eventually lift you up. Your work will speak for you and your time will come, so you shouldn’t complain. These are usually the values instilled in us, but are they helpful in every context? If we’re always taking things on the chin instead of standing up for ourselves when it counts, how can change ever be made?
Where does the Latino gratitude problem stem from?
We consider there are two main reasons for the Latino gratitude problem. One reason is catholicism, which is the main religion in Latin America and in Latino communities around the world. While the number of Latinos without religious affiliations is growing, Catholics are still the largest religious group among Latinos in the U.S., according to an AP poll.
One of the core tenets of catholicism is that suffering is redemptive and it leads to salvation. With catholicism being so ingrained in Latino culture, we’re taught to believe that suffering is not a bad thing, it’s something to be offered to God and good things may come of it. That’s one of the reasons we’re told to be grateful for everything, even the injustices we may experience.
Another reason is that most Latinos, especially Latino immigrants who have moved to the U.S. or other countries in search of a better life, generally know how much worse things can be. Yes, you didn’t get the promotion you deserved, but are you starving? “Other people have it much worse than me” or “At least my situation is not as bad as someone else’s” are common thoughts, but they diminish our own experiences. We’re essentially telling ourselves that our problems aren’t significant enough to matter when compared to worse struggles.
It’s also the case that, most of the time, every single one of our victories and accomplishments is hard-won. Latinos in the U.S. have to work harder for the same opportunities, and that’s particularly true for Latinas. It’s understandable that, given all that hard work, we don’t want to fall into victimhood by whining about the things we don’t get or achieve. This is also something we learn from our parents and grandparents. However, it’s not victimhood if Latinos are consistently underpaid and unrecognized for their contributions.
Latino toxic gratitude is a personal and community disservice
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- Latino Family Dynamics: The Importance of Setting Boundaries ›
When people think of exercising, their minds might immediately go to running, indoor spin, a HIIT boot camp, pumping iron at the gym, and more. Dancing rarely makes the top 5 when searching for top exercises, but it should! It’s not just an art form, it’s a whole-body exercise that can make you feel amazing. But dancing doesn’t just benefit your body, it also benefits your mind and even your soul. Not to mention that it’s a valid form of exercise for people of all ages that’s so fun, it doesn’t even feel like exercise.
Dancing promotes better brain health
Photo by Diego Rosa on UnsplashDancing isn't just a workout for your body; it's also a workout for your brain! Research shows that busting a move can actually boost your memory and keep dementia at bay. Imagine getting better at remembering where you left your keys! Wouldn’t that be great? Plus, challenging yourself to master choreographies works your brain in all the right ways, improving your planning and organizing skills. Who knew shaking your booty could make your mind sharper too? The more you know…
It can make you more flexible
Photo by Brannon Naito on UnsplashSay goodbye to feeling stiff as a board! When you dance, you learn to move your body in ways you didn’t think possible for you. Dancing loosens up the joints and stretches the muscles, so it can improve your flexibility overall. It can also improve your mobility, which is particularly important as we get older.
Dancing melts the stress away
Photo by Michael Dam on UnsplashFeeling stressed, overwhelmed, or grumpy? Just dance it out! It’s amazing how quickly a little dancing session or workout can give you a boost of feel-good hormones. Sometimes, that’s all you need to get through the day or just give your mind a break. Dancing can be liberating, and it can feel like hitting the reset button in your mind. Once you’re done, you’ll have a bit of a clearer head and a better disposition to tackle whatever made you stressed or grumpy in the first place.
It can help with depression
Photo by Olivia Bauso on UnsplashThe thing that makes dancing so effective as a stress management strategy also makes it helpful if you’re dealing with depression. Dancing to upbeat songs is a natural way to increase your levels of serotonin. That’s why this activity never fails to lift our spirits, whether we’re doing it alone in our rooms, with a partner, or with a group of people. Combined with therapy work and other strategies, dancing can help you manage depression and other forms of mental health conditions.
Dancing can help you reach your weight loss goals
Photo by Mike Von on UnsplashIf you’re working on shedding a few pounds and you often get bored with cardio workouts on the treadmill, dancing is a good alternative. For example, Latin dance classes may look easy, but you’ll work your entire body, and you’ll be sweating as much as you would on a stationary bike, treadmill, or stair master—if not more! Combined with good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, your weight loss goals will be easier to achieve.
You’ll get a burst of energy
Photo by Levi Guzman on UnsplashSometimes, we need a little pick-me-up, but we’ve already had too much coffee. Instead of having another cup of joe, why not play your favorite songs and get moving? Regular dance sessions will not only boost your physical performance but also give your energy levels a boost. When you’re done dancing, you’ll feel ready to take on the world or, you know, to just finish your work for the day, which is also a big feat.
Dancing can improve your cardiovascular health
Photo by Luke Chesser on UnsplashDancing is good cardio and a form of endurance exercise, so it’s linked to improving heart health. Studies have found that dancing makes it likely to die from cardiovascular disease because it improves cardiovascular endurance. If you want to have a stronger heart, adding dancing to your daily routine is one of the habits that will help you achieve better heart health.
It will improve your coordination, balance, and strength
woman standing on dockPhoto by Drew Colins on UnsplashWhen you’re dancing, you’re feeling the music, and you’re just in the zone. You don’t realize that with every twist and turn, you’re working on your coordination, balance, and strength. Dancing works your body from every angle, so all your muscle groups get involved in one way or another. Improved coordination, balance, and strength will help you in your everyday life because they’re essential for movement.
Dancing offers artistic expression
person hand standing on concrete roadPhoto by Keenan Constance on UnsplashDance isn't just about following steps; it’s interpreting and feeling the music, it’s telling a story with your body. Whatever music genre you prefer to move to, dancing will allow you to express yourself in an entirely different way. Whether you're into urban, ballet, cumbia, ballroom, or anything in between, there's a dance style for everyone, and every style has a unique expression. We recommend you explore as many styles as possible to find the one that makes you feel the most alive.
It gives your self-esteem and confidence a boost
Photo by Matthew Hamilton on UnsplashBecause dancing is all about learning how to move your body to express yourself, it’s a great way to improve your self-esteem and confidence. Every time you master a new dance move, you will feel great about yourself and your abilities. With that comes a sense of self-assuredness and confidence in your body. That will feed and strengthen your self-esteem, and even help you overcome body image issues.