Soc 262 - the Latino-Hispanic Ethnic Group

The Latino/Hispanic Ethnic Group

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SOC/262

June 20th/2016

Sandra Hightower

The Latino/Hispanic Ethnic Group

The decennial census does not count people; it relies on individuals to self-identify. Previous to 1970 the decennial census there had been reports of “persons of Spanish surname” or of Puerto Ricans living in the United States (Haub, 2012).

Haub (2012), “The question on Hispanic origin was added to the survey in spring 1969, late in the census planning process. It appeared only on the long form, sent to a 5 percent sample of all households, and the question was not in a very conspicuous spot on the form” (The Hispanic Category).

The question on the 1970 census was not clear enough, and it was added so late that the results don’t show in the four main census volumes. Some people who lived in the central or southern regions of the United States checked the box for “Central and South American” even though they were not of Spanish decent (Haub, 2012). How the census asks about Hispanic decent as changed every census since, and is still under review for the next census.  

The 1970 census counted responses to other questions to identify six groups. Spanish origin, Spanish surname, Spanish language, Spanish heritage, Spanish language or surname, and Spanish birth or parentage (Haub, 2012).  

Rumbaut (2011), "Later criticism of the ethnic and racial categories led to a formal review of Directive 15, beginning in 1993 with congressional hearings and culminating in revised standards which were adopted in 1997. The changes stipulated five minimum categories for data on "race" ("American Indian or Alaska Native," "Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander," "Asian," "Black or African American," and "White"); offered respondents the option of selecting one or more racial designations (an option used for the first time in the 2000 census); and reworded the two "ethnic" categories into "Hispanic or Latino" and "not Hispanic or Latino."” (para 19).

In the years since 1970, there have been attempts add more choices and to clarify the options available on decennial census’. According to "Hispanic Origin" (2013), "The U.S. Office of Management and Budget defines "Hispanic or Latino" as a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.” (About Hispanic Origin). Census takers also have the opportunity to write in their decent if they do not identify with the choices available.

According to "Hispanic Origin" (2013), "The 2010 Census question on Hispanic origin included five separate response categories and one area where respondents could write in a specific Hispanic origin group. The initial reaction category was intended for respondents who do not identify as Hispanic. The remaining response categories (“Mexican, Mexican Am., Chicano”; “Puerto Rican”; “Cuban”; and “another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin”) and write-in answers can be combined to create the OMB category of Hispanic” (About Hispanic Origin)