People of Mexican Heritage

Abstract

People of Mexican heritage are a very diverse group geographically, historically, and culturally and are difficult to adequately describe. Although no specific set of characteristics can fully describe people of Mexican heritage, some commonalities distinguish them as an ethnic group, with many regional variations that reflect subcultures in Mexico and in the US. A common term used to describe Spanish-speaking populations in the US, including people of Mexican heritage, is Hispanic. However, the term can be misleading and can encompass many different people clustered together owing to a common heritage and lineage from Spain. Many Hispanic people prefer to be identified by descriptors more specific to their cultural heritage, such as Mexican, Mexican American, Latin American, Spanish American, Chicano, Latino, or Latinx. This chapter follows the dominant values and beliefs according to the 12 domains of the Purnell Model of Cultural Competence: overview/heritage, communication, family roles and organization, workforce issues, biocultural ecology, high-risk behaviors, nutrition, pregnancy, death rituals, spirituality, health-care practices, and health-care practitioners.

This chapter is an update written by Rick Zoucha in a previous edition of the book.