The rapidly changing demographics of the United States mean that families in this country are more culturally and ethnically diverse than ever before. Research studies have compared the values of White Americans to those of other ethnic groups and, in general, have found significant differences between the values of White Americans and the values of other ethnic groups (Carter, 1991). One important factor that may be influenced by cultural values and that may contribute to family functioning is family environment. The family environment or climate can be described in terms of the interpersonal relationships shared among family members; the internal family functioning, organization, and structure of the family; and the emphasis the family places on the direction of personal growth. Family environment, as measured by the Family Environment Scale (FES), provides an assessment of the social-environmental characteristics of families.
The term Latino is used by the U.S. government to describe individuals from Spain, Central America, South America, or the Caribbean (Garcia-Preto, 1996). The characteristic that these individuals share is that they all speak Spanish. The U.S. Bureau of the Census reported that there were approximately 22.3 million Latinos living in the United States; approximately 64% were Mexican, 14% were central and South American, 10% were Puerto Rican, 5% were Cuban, and 7% were from other Spanish-speaking groups (Axelson, 1993). The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that within the next 25 years, Latinos will be the largest ethnic group in the United States (Axelson, 1993; Garcia-Preto, 1996). Now we will compare Latino culture with white American culture.
The white American is basically dominant group. European immigrants came to the United States in search of religious freedom, to escape political repression, and to create business ventures and better lives for themselves and their families (Axelson, 1993).
