Mexican Americans make up the largest percentage of the Latino population in the United States. Many of these individuals keep the core values, traditions and beliefs that came from Mexico. These individuals are less likely to assimilate into American culture and are more likely to live in Mexican American communities inside the United States. (Miley et al, 2012, p.236) Of these individuals Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion followed. (Collins et al, 2013, P.58) In fact authors Kyriakos S. Markides of the University of Texas Medical Branch and Thomas Cole the University of Texas Medical Branch have suggested some findings for the number of Mexican American’s that are Roman Catholic. In their article, “Change and Continuity in Mexican
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Hispanics usually follow the values of “machismo” and “marianismo.” These values culturally define the ideal male and female qualities. (Cdc, n.d.) To do this health professionals must have an understanding of what “machismo” and “marianismo” is. Marianismo is included in Hispanic American folk culture as a part of the female gender role. It consists of feminine virtues like purity, Passivity, and moral strength. The power in marianismo is that the female ability to create life. This word “marianismo” comes from the Catholic belief in Mary, mother of Jesus, as both a virgin and a mother. It is from this concept that the idea that an ideal woman should be spiritually perfect and always self-giving. (Wikipedia, 2015) Machismo is the sense of being manly or masculine and accompanies the pride that comes with being male. It is through this concept that the male’s feel it is their responsibility to provide for, protect, and defend their family." The English word "machismo" comes from Spanish and Portuguese. Portuguese and Spanish machismo refers to the assumption that males are superior to females. (Wikipedia, 2015) It is with this ideaology that health care provides have a starting point when working with Mexican American’s. Going by these values, men are often reluctant to talk to a physician for health issues until someone is so ill that they have to go to the emergency room. Fathers or husbands may make
Hispanics usually follow the values of “machismo” and “marianismo.” These values culturally define the ideal male and female qualities. (Cdc, n.d.) To do this health professionals must have an understanding of what “machismo” and “marianismo” is. Marianismo is included in Hispanic American folk culture as a part of the female gender role. It consists of feminine virtues like purity, Passivity, and moral strength. The power in marianismo is that the female ability to create life. This word “marianismo” comes from the Catholic belief in Mary, mother of Jesus, as both a virgin and a mother. It is from this concept that the idea that an ideal woman should be spiritually perfect and always self-giving. (Wikipedia, 2015) Machismo is the sense of being manly or masculine and accompanies the pride that comes with being male. It is through this concept that the male’s feel it is their responsibility to provide for, protect, and defend their family." The English word "machismo" comes from Spanish and Portuguese. Portuguese and Spanish machismo refers to the assumption that males are superior to females. (Wikipedia, 2015) It is with this ideaology that health care provides have a starting point when working with Mexican American’s. Going by these values, men are often reluctant to talk to a physician for health issues until someone is so ill that they have to go to the emergency room. Fathers or husbands may make