The document summarizes an ethnographic research project where the author interviewed a Hispanic woman named Sra. Ramos at a nursing home. Some of the key findings were that Sra. Ramos' family regularly visits her and family is very important in Hispanic culture. Sra. Ramos worked picking vegetables as a farmworker and spoke both Spanish and English. She was Roman Catholic and had religious images in her room. The interview provided insights into Hispanic values of family, work, communication and religion.

1.  
Ethnographic Research Project
Erika Schmitt
Anthropology 103
Nicole Kirksey

2. Topic
Research
Interview
Findings
Words of Wisdom
Works Cited

3.  What
o Participant interview
 Who
o Sra. Ramos*
 Where
o Cross Point Care Center* (nursing home and rehabilitation center)
 Why
o I only know a few Hispanic people personally. I wanted to know if
this tiny sample was representative of the group. My objective was
to learn about the Hispanic culture from an individual of another
generation with which I do not have contact. I anticipated bettering
my understanding of Hispanic culture by gaining her perspective.
*Names changed for privacy purposes

4.  “Hispanic” was actually a U.S. government term created to
classify an international culture of diverse people who shared
the Spanish language and culture.
 Hispanics=15.1% of U.S. population
o Mexicans=63.3%
o Central/South Americans=14.4%
o Puerto Ricans=10.6%
o Cubans=4.2%
o Other Hispanics=7.4%
 As seen in this video Hispanics are a proud and growing
people…

6.  Hispanic values
o Family
• Taking care of sick and elderly family members is seen as a
responsibility.
• A very low percentage (3.8%) of Hispanics/Latinos make up U.S. nursing
home residents. However, as seen in the video, high Hispanic population
growth leaves the future of this statistic uncertain.
o Work
• Men tend to work outside home while women tend to work inside home.
o Communication
• Spanish language is usually spoken continuously and formally in the
home; superiors/elders are addressed in terms of respect.
o Religion
• 90% of Hispanics are
Roman Catholic.

7.  Duration of ≈1.5 hrs.
 Conducted mostly in Spanish
 Sra. Ramos is currently one of only two Spanish-
speaking residents at Cross Point Care Center.
 Much of her family (five children and many
grandchildren) come to talk with and visit her
regularly.

8.  Family
o Mexican parents
o Four siblings
o Married
o Five children
o Walls covered with photos of
grandchildren
 Work
o Moved from Texas to Michigan
and labored in fields picking
vegetables
 Communication
o Bilingual
 Religion
o Roman Catholic
o Prominent picture of Jesus
and Mary hung on wall
o Rosary and picture of Our
Lady of Guadalupe displayed
o Attends weekly rosary and
communion services
Sra. Ramos’s Profile:

9.  Sra. Ramos was a little lost during the
interview, often asking the same questions over
and over (e.g. “Do you have any kids?”).
Otherwise she was receptive and appreciative.
She asked me to come again and said “God
bless you” as I left.
 It is hard to remember to be formal in one
language when accostomed to being informal in
another.
Personal Experience:

10.  Patience
o When speaking with an elderly individual, he or she may say
the same things repeatedly. Always be courteous and polite
when having to give the same response again.
 Respect
o When addressing Hispanics who are older, remember to use
terms of respect (Usted is the formal form of “you”).
 Sincerity
o Do not feign interest, but really try to get to know others on a more
than superficial level when given the opportunity. Let them see the
real you and you may be surprised what you get in return.
 No expectation
o Try to approach situations without expectations. Ignore
generalizations and stereotypes; allow others the chance to tell you
who they are.
 Gratitude
o In general, thank an interviewee or any person you have had a
conversation with for their time and willingness to share.

11.  Clutter, A. W., & Nieto, R. D. Understanding the Hispanic
culture. Retrieved from http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-
fact/5000/5237.html
 Muskegon Community College Anthropology Social
Sciences Dept. (2012). Cultural diversity in
contemporary society. The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.
Print.
 Univision. (2011). The new American reality. Retrieved
from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQnhuj11zgI
 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The
national nursing home survey: 2004 overview. (2009).
Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_13/sr13_167.pdf