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ERIC Number: ED250121
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1984-Jun
Pages: 70
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Hispanics: Challenges and Opportunities. A Look at the Demographic, Economic, Social, and Political Situation of Hispanics in the United States Today, and at the Ford Foundation's Initiatives to Address the Needs and Impact of this Growing Population. Working Paper No. 435.
Ford Foundation, New York, NY.
The Hispanic population in the United States is growing in numbers, is characterized by diversity, and its growing impact on American society has caused the Ford Foundation to explore new Foundation initiatives. The 1980 census counted 14.6 million Hispanics on the U.S. mainland: 60% Mexican American, 14% Puerto Rican, 6% Cuban, and 20% other. The Hispanic population is characterized by rapid growth attributed to high fertility and high immigration rates, and possibly also to improved census methods); a relatively low median age of 23 years; and a low socioeconomic level based on income, education, and employment considerations. Statistics indicate that Hispanics fall between blacks and whites in median family income, that some 30% of Hispanic families fall below the official poverty level compared to 12% of non-Hispanic white families, and that Hispanic unemployment is about 60% higher than that of whites. Hispanics experience a serious gap in educational achievement at all educational levels as compared to whites. Contributing factors include family socioeconomic background, English language ability, and nativity, as well as the school system itself. The Ford Foundation has expanded its efforts to improve the condition of Hispanics by supporting efforts in community and economic development, research and policy analysis, social services, education, leadership development, and philanthropic activity by mainland funders based in Puerto Rico. (MM)
Ford Foundation, Office of Reports, 320 East 43rd St., New York, NY 10017 (English or Spanish editions, free).
Publication Type: Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Ford Foundation, New York, NY.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A