Science Daily: Linking Depression With ‘Americanization’ of Latinas

publiusforum.com ^ | 08/17/08 | Warner Todd Huston

[Mobile Vulgus]

Another day another "study" of dubious worth. This time it is Science Daily letting us know that "Latinas" in the United States have high rates of depression because of that dreaded "Americanization" they apparently unfairly face. So now, just the gall-darn, odiousness of becoming "Americanized" is enough to send "Latinas" to the funny farm, I guess. But, it seems to me that this "study" tends to say that it is single motherhood and out of wedlock pregnancies causing the depression not the fact that they are "Latinas" that have become acculturated to American ways.

Just look how horrible it is for Latinas to become Americans:

A study of 439 U.S. and Mexican-born Latinas seeking pregnancy and postpartum services at public health clinics in San Antonio uncovered elevated levels of depression among the more "Americanized" women, report researchers from The University of Texas School of Public Health and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

First of all, I have to say that the term "Latina" is ridiculous in the first place, just as is the word "Latino." The term Latino covers far too many cultures, nationalities, races and languages to be a useful term. A Haitian person has a different culture than does a Mexican and those "Latinas" actually born in the United States (women such as appear in this study) have absolutely no cultural connection to a Bolivian... yet they are all supposedly "Latino." The term Latino is completely unacceptable for its imprecision to be used as a category in any serious study.

Another main problem with this study is that it seems to proclaim that Latino women are more prone to depression if they have been "Americanized" yet from the article it doesn't seem as if any effort was made to quantify what being acculturated and not being acculturated means in relationship to depression. Further, the study seems to be about unwed mothers and out of wedlock births, not "Americanization." It seems more like the fact that the women wished to conduct their interviews in English was incidental. The entire study seems to be placing some onerous weight upon having become Americanized. As if acting like Americans was troublesome, or somehow bad for these women in and of itself....

Read the rest at Publiusforum.com...

[Mobile Vulgus]

Another faux "study" for lefties to run to throw money at.

[pnh102]

Another faux "study" for lefties to run to throw money at.

Perhaps we should remind the Left of this when they claim that not enough money is spent on real research, like for things like a cure for AIDS, heart disease, cancer, etc.

[rickmichaels]

So now, just the gall-darn, odiousness of becoming "Americanized" is enough to send "Latinas" to the funny farm, I guess.

But not back to Mexico, I guess.

[Da Coyote]

Hmmm. They’re here illegally. They don’t learn the language. They’re depressed by our culture. I know that libs aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer...but there IS a solution.

[tom h]

"Linking Depression With ‘Americanization’ of Latinas"

The study is correct. I get depressed every time I hear a census bureau prediction that Latinos will be the majority race here by 2050. I get depressed every time I drive through my hometown, Los Angeles, and watch how much it looks like Mexico City every day. I get depressed when I listen to the radio in LA and find that 4 out of every 5 stations are Spanish -speaking. I get depressed (actually angry) every time I am asked to "press 1 for English."

Yea, the study is correct.

[ken21]

it’s obvious that the whole leftist educational and media culture is depressed because they’re committing america to suicide.

[library user]

Did someone say "Latina"? This thread is useless without pic's...

[DeLaine]

You want pics of Latinas?? Here's one for ya.

[alloysteel]

The “latinas” have accumulated American ways all right. Just the wrong American ways. They have emulated the broken families of the Americans of African origin, self-segregating into ghettos (and staying in the ghetto IS a life decision). Divided not only by skin color, but also language, the ring of isolation keeps them penned in, like crabs in a bucket.

When thrown in a bucket, one crab has very little difficulty in reaching up to the edge of the bucket, and pulling itself out, but throw two or more crabs in the bucket, and every time one reaches for the edge to pull itself out, the other crabs will grab onto it and drag it back down in.

And once pulled back in, the way of life adopted in the bucket is made part of all the shared lives. What distinguishes the poor Americans of African descent, is that so many have concentrated in cities, and are of relatively high visibility. The latinas have simply followed this pattern.

This is not to say that there are no poor white people anywhere. The MAJORITY of poor people are white, they are rural, and they have a family history of both coming from poor parents and having poor children.

The cycle of poverty CAN be broken, as evidenced by those who have broken out and escaped poverty. But this requires a huge rethinking of priorities.

Poverty, like wealth, is made up of attitudes along with skill sets and is absorbed by the youth with table manners, personal hygiene, and the ability to read and work mathematics.

Occasionally “wealthy” people may find themselves without ready cash, but they do not automatically become “poor”. Relative wealth results in convincing other people they have a valid reason to give you their money and share their wisdom, while poor people despise advice of many kinds, and do not give valid reasons why they are worthy of being given money.

And do you want to know a basic truth? Poor people GIVE rich people money. Once you understand the WHY behind that behavior, you start to understand how poverty may at last be cured.

But perhaps some people do not WANT to cure poverty.

[muawiyah]

No doubt life in American mental health facilities beats life in Mexico.

At least that's the implication ~

[A_perfect_lady]

Seems like the obvious solution is for these women to return to their own country, where they will be happy again.

[JimWayne]

The solution is already being implemented. The fencing of the border has begun.

[Disciplinemisanthropy]

or when they chide us for acting too american when merely visiting - not living in - other countries.

[TribalPrincess2U]

Who doesn’t get depressed over something at times? Here’s my donation.

[ken21]

no problema!

[gubamyster]

ping

[chicagolady]

I am a Latina and I am VERY DEPRESSED at the Possibility of 12-20 Million LATINOS becoming AMERICANIZED, Meaning they will be given Citizenship.

[longtermmemmory]

acting american is not skanky enough for latinas?

I know of hispanic families who are citizens but still require chaparones for their daughter to date.

[TexasRepublic]

I’m sure they would be less depressed if we threw some money their way.