Study: Latinos Underestimate their Own Contributions in the United States

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Most Latinos in America underestimate their contribution to the United States, according to a new study from the We All Are Human foundation.

The study of more than 2,500 Latinos ages 14 and older analyzed their political, business, and educational views. Participants shared thoughts on 16 positive Latino accomplishments, such as launching more new business and achieving higher levels of education

More than 77% of participants expressed disbelief around six of these significant Latino achievements.

“Overwhelmingly, Latinos are saying that they’re under-valued and that their contributions aren’t fully appreciated,” said Claudia Romo Edelman, founder of We All Are Human, in a press release.

More Study Findings on Latino Confidence

• 82% of Latinos feel their community should be valued more than it is.
• Even though 90% say they identify as part of the Hispanic/Latino community, only 48% of U.S. Latinos think they are unified. 62% believe they do not speak with same voice.
• Only 24% of Latinos feel their community is “extremely” or “very” represented by politicians/people in government. 66% believe that their vote does count.
• 69% are optimistic about the long-term future of U.S. Latinos.
• 62% think it is likely that a Latino will be elected U.S. president in their lifetimes.

“This study shows how much remains to be done for the Latino community in the U.S. to fully appreciate our own contributions to this country and to the American way of life,” said Romo Edelman.

Another Study on Latinos’ Place in America

On Oct. 25, 2018, the day the We All Are Human study came out, another study conducted by Pew research center suggested that more Latinos have serious concern about their place in America under Trump administration. 

More than 50% of Latinos say their situation in United States has worsened over the past year after Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election.

More than 55% say they are worried that they, a family member or close friend could be deported.

Latinos’ downbeat assessments extend to their own economic situations.

“Only a third rate their situation as excellent or good, down from 40% who said the same in 2015,” according to Pew Hispanic. “And when it comes to the next generation, the share who say their children will be better off financially than they are has declined from 72% to 54% over the same three-year period.

Also, more than half of Latinos say it has become more difficult in recent years to be Latino in the U.S.

“And nearly four-in-ten Hispanics say they have experienced at least one of four offensive incidents in the past year because of their Hispanic background,” according to the report.

How Latinos Contribute to the American Economy

The nation’s Latino population stands at nearly 59 million and is one of the youngest and fastest-growing groups in the U.S.

Despite Latinos’ lack of confidence in their accomplishments and their place in the United States, more than $1 of every $10 of disposable income is in Latinos’ wallets, according to a recent report by New American Economy and UnidosUS.

“The growing earnings of Latino households have made them major contributors to U.S. tax revenue,” according to the report.

Still, many Latinos do suffer from poverty.

What Can We Do?

Public health officials can shift focus from downstream (individual treatment) to upstream (prevention activities and poverty reduction).

Cities can examine why healthcare fails in one Latino town, but prospers in another town just miles away.

Efforts are also needed to help Latinos increase their income.

“Helping Hispanics grow their earnings would bring more U.S. workers into the income tax system and could also give Hispanics more discretionary income to spend on goods and services made by others,” according to the New American Economy report. This would allow “the U.S. economy to work better not just for Hispanics, but for all American families.”