Reading Studies - Latin American Societies

Reading Studies - Latin American SocietiesAlthough the focus is mostly on European and Asian cultures, Latin American cultures can be included within the peer reviewed journals. They are different in a number of ways from these other groups, but they do have some of the same soci-economic aspects. The world of academia is so large that many topics are sometimes separated by vast distances.One of the largest differences between these cultures is the soci-economic aspects of how they live their lives. In Europe and Asia, most families get together in one place for the entire year, with very little time off. In Latin America, family life is very much about extended families, and the migration of workers between countries is prevalent. While the migrant workers are usually headed to work in the same industry, there is plenty of time to enjoy their families as well.In the United States, we also see families doing the same thing, as we do when our families vacation, but without the interna tional and prolonged movements. With children and a job, families move around quite often, with the last remaining days often spent together in one area. However, even here, there is ample time to enjoy each other's company. Many families find a way to fit in as well, going back to the same school and church for their religious celebrations and social activities.In Latin America, families tend to remain together for a longer period of time, and those who are still young, not yet married, have to adjust to what the law says is the standard marriage age of 18. The full-time worker takes advantage of this to get married and start a family. The family is extended, with more time spent outside the home, with parents taking their children to visit grandparents in the country, and with extended family visiting relatives in the home country.Families can be big and extended, and even where they are relatively small, such as in Central America, with wide open spaces, each family will spend a good deal of time in outdoor pursuits. This is especially true for families with very young children, as this is where they spend a great deal of time playing outside. This does not mean that the children do not play outside when they can, but there is a lot of play and outdoor activity for them, and so there is a culture of interaction with the community that has developed.The ways in which people communicate differ greatly in Latin American cultures. These differences are reflected in their different soci-economic situations. In Latin America, the people speak Spanish, a language that was brought over from the west, and which can be understood only by speakers of Spanish, or those who can understand at least some Spanish, and many who do not. Since English is the main language in North America, it has been a great aid in the creation of a common language, and it is therefore used as a second language in many countries, though it is widely understood in some areas.Since these cultu res are diverse, and so are their soci-economic situations, there is a difference in how their families receive help from the government, and how they are involved in the community. There is much less concern for welfare in Latin American countries than there is in North America. As the children grow up, there are fewer opportunities to help them financially. The use of government welfare and cash transfers is very limited, and the problems that exist in receiving the funds have been addressed by the World Bank.However, even though Latin American cultures have somewhat similar issues with regard to inequality and the rights of minorities, they also share a history of work, travel, and education. The people in Latin America have been major contributors to science and mathematics for thousands of years, and there is little doubt that these contributions are not going to disappear any time soon. While they face similar problems in the daily life of Latin Americans, and many other Latin American peoples, there is no question that it is the cultural differences that make it such a complex society to study.