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Culture exploration assignment
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Culture Exploration Assignment
Whitney Crowder
00834391
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in the course
Course #: NUR 401
Old Dominion University
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
Fall 2013
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Description of Cultural Group
Hispanics are a minority group that is quickly growing in the United States. Hispanic
subcultures include Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Venezuelans, Mexicans, and many more. The
majority of Hispanics in the United States are Mexican in origin (DuongTran & Garcia, 2009).
The Mexican population is continuously rising in the United States. Hispanics and Mexicans are
the fastest growing minority group in our country. By the year 2050, it is estimated that
Hispanics will constitute 25% of the U.S population. Currently Mexican Americans compromise
66% of that minority group, making it the largest Hispanic subgroup (DuongTran & Garcia,
2009). The population of Mexicans in the United States is randomly dispersed across our
country. Most are located in the states of Texas, New Mexico, and California.
In Mexican families, the man is the head of the household. He is expected to make all of
the big decisions regarding the house and his family. Mexicans have strong family value.
Mexican-Americans tend to be highly group oriented as the traditional family can be considered
the foundation of the society. A strong emphasis is placed on family as the major source of one’s
identity and protection against the hardships of life (Ceballos 2). In the healthcare setting, many
family members are present with the patient, and the family makes pertinent medical decisions as
a whole. Many families are reluctant to discuss a feared diagnosis or poor prognosis with the
patient and desire that physicians and nurses also do not discuss these matters with the patient
(Kemp, 2001). They are also willing to provide care to the patient while they are hospitalized.
Mexicans place a strong value on respecto, which means respect. Respecto means that
people are expected to defer to those who are in a position of authority because of age, gender,
social position, title or economic status (Ceballos 3). Health-care workers are considered to be in
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a position of authority. Out of respect, patients of Mexican culture will not question medical staff
or raise their concerns about procedures/treatments. Since Mexicans openly give respect to
others, they expect respect in return. Immediately using first names removes expected social
stratifications and may be uncomfortable for some patients (Ceballos 3). They do not appreciate
prolonged eye contact. They believe that prolonged eye contact should be saved for intimate
relationships. Mexicans do appreciate subtle physical gestures. Appropriate physical gestures,
such as a handshake or a pat on the back, will communicate a personal connection (Ceballos 3).
Cultural Beliefs Related to Health and Well-Being
Mexican’s spiritual beliefs have a great impact on the way their culture views health and
well-being. The belief that God’s will controls everything and determines one’s health status is
common (Ceballos 2). As a result, they do not worry about their health because they belief that it
is not in their control. They live life one day at a time. Mexican culture believes that if they have
good health, then they have good luck. Similarly, illness may be viewed as the result of
misfortune or as punishment from God for immoral behavior or living a bad lifestyle (Ceballos
2). Mexican culture believes that health is a balance between hot and cold. Illnesses are classified
into one of these two categories. Illnesses are addressed through medicines or substances
(especially foods) of opposite properties, so a hot condition is treated with cold or cool
medications or foods (Kemp, 2001). Mexicans are more likely to participate in reactive care
instead of proactive care. Reactive care is defined as “care intended to detect and treat or cure
acute conditions, plus the crises, complications, and worsening of chronic conditions that were
not prevented (DuongTran & Garcia, 2009). Because of this reactive behavior, people of
Mexican descent do not go to the doctor regularly. They only go for an appointment if they feel
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absolutely miserable. In this regard, Mexicans are at a particular risk of late-stage diagnosis for a
number of illnesses including cancer (DuongTran & Garcia, 2009).
Health Beliefs Specific to Pregnancy & Childbearing
Pregnancy is a special time for the Mexican family. Traditional Mexican culture does not
believe in the use of contraceptives because they believe that God determines their health and
life plan. Many Mexican women do not receive prenatal care because they do not perceive
pregnancy as an illness. When a woman is pregnant, the family steps in and performs duties
around the house so that the expectant mother does not have to work. It is common for
grandmothers to move into nuclear family homes during last weeks of pregnancy and for weeks
following delivery (sometimes coming from great distances) (Lipson, 1996). When it is time for
the baby to arrive, a large part of the family comes to welcome the newborn child into the family.
Most new mothers do not participate in breastfeeding. Also, if the new baby is a boy they are not
circumcised. New mothers are discouraged from taking showers for several days, and are also
discouraged from getting out of bed for first few hours after birth and then only to use bathroom
(Lipson, 196). Postpartum, the new mother goes through a forty day period or recuperation
called La Cuarentena. During this time, relatives and friends take on domestic chores around the
house. According to The Office of Minority Health, 89.1% of Hispanic children aged 19-35
months are fully immunized. Children in this age group also have comparable rates of
immunizations for MMR, polio, hepatitis, and influenza ("Immunizations and hispanic," 2012).
Health Beliefs Specific to End of Life & Death Rituals
The Mexican culture is very familiar with death and the end of life. Mexicans have more
understanding and acceptance of death because their country is primarily rural, poor, religious,
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and very young on average (Lobar, Youngblut, & Brooten, 2006). While a loved one is
hospitalized, the family remains by the patient’s side at all times. Once death occurs, the family
likes to help get the body ready for the funeral. Hispanics do not seem uncomfortable with the
presence of the body of a loved one. Some may wish to help clean and arrange the body; in all
cases, respect is shown to the body (Kemp, 2001). Before the funeral, a wake is held. A wake is
where family and friends are able to view the body and celebrate life. The family celebrates with
food, music, and prayer. A Mexican funeral is typically held in a Roman Catholic Church. After
the funeral, the body is buried. There is a preference for burial rather than cremation (Lobar,
Youngblut, & Brooten, 2006). Mexican culture participates in a prolonged period of mourning.
When a family member is on the verge of death, the family begins to worship. Candles may be
kept burning twenty-four hours a day as a means of continuous worship (Kemp, 2001). After
death, a novena may be held. This is a nine day catholic devotion to obtain special graces (Kemp,
2001). In Mexican culture there is a two day celebration in November, Dia de Los Muertos,
where the dead spirits come back to visit them. Mexicans and other Latinos celebrate “Dia de los
Muertos” (Day of the Dead) to remember and honor the dead (Lobar, Youngblut, & Brooten,
2006).
Physiologic Variations within the Culture
The type of neighborhood an individual lives in plays a role in their access to healthcare.
Immigrants living in predominantly Spanish-speaking areas have better access to healthcare
services compared with immigrants living in other areas. Mexican-Americans have increased
incidences of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, pernicious anemia, lactose intolerance, and
tuberculosis exposure. There are no variations within the culture based upon geography.
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The Role of Nursing within the Culture
A common hierarchy of seeking relief from lay or traditional sources begins with home
remedies or seeking assistance from relatives or neighbors (especially female) (Kemp, 2001).
Mexican culture uses may also use “folk healers” when they are sick. They also seek care from
herbalists, midwives, massage therapists, and naturalist doctors. There are many barriers that
prevent Mexicans from going to the hospital to seek care. Lack of health insurance, language
barriers, economic constraints, and cultural values make access to even such basic services as
pharmacies more difficult (Kemp, 2001). As a result, hospitalized people of Mexican descent are
compliant to nurses and health care regimens. There are no restrictions related to the practice of
nursing.
Conclusion
There are many ways that culturally sensitive nursing can be provided to a Mexican
patient. It is important to establish a formal professional relationship with the patient. It is also
important to allow the family to discuss options regarding the patient’s care. Nurses need to be
culturally sensitive and allow the patient’s family to participate in their care. If the patient passes
away, nurses need to allow the family ample time to grieve. Nurses should not interrupt the
grieving process for any reason. Nurses should be culturally sensitive and understand that the
Mexican patient may not have obtained healthcare prior to this hospital visit. We should educate
them on the importance of regular check-ups with a doctor. The Mexican population is
continuously rising in the United States. With the population growing so quickly, nurses should
be educated on the culture’s health beliefs and rituals so that they are able to provide culturally
competent care.
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References
Ceballos, K. (n.d.). Mexican americans: A cultural perspective of healthcare. Retrieved from
https://lms.nurse.com/Aspx/CourseContent.aspx?uniqueid=14416164&topicid=6057&page=1
DuongTran, P., & Garcia, K. (2009). An international study of health knowledge, behaviors, and
cultural perceptions of young mexican adults. Hispanic Health Care International, 7(1), 5-10.
Immunizations and hispanic americans. (2012, October 04). Retrieved from
http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/content.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=54&ID=3328
Kemp, C. (2001). Culture and the end of life: Hispanic cultures (focus on mexican americans).
Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 3(1), 29-33.
Lipson, J. (1996). Mexican americans. Retrieved from http://www.css.edu/Academics/Centersand-Institutes/Center-for-Healthcare-Innovation/Help-Place/Resources/Cultural-Aspects-ofHealthcare/Mexican-Americans.html
Lobar, S., Youngblut, J., & Brooten, D. (2006). Cross-cultural beliefs, ceremonies, and rituals
surrounding death of a loved one. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/525639
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