Description
Presently, population statistics in the United States indicates that the Hispanic population is one of the fastest growing populations in the country. Thus, it would be imperative to address the challenges and other poverty-related issues that accompany their population growth. Clear documentation indicate that the Hispanic population, in contrast to other races in the US, face significant disparities, and this is in sectors such as education attainment, healthcare services, as well as being left behind in the struggle towards economic development (Cornwell & Waite, 2009). The disparities are the major causal factors for the challenges and poverty-related problems that the aging Hispanic population, together with their children and families face. It would be wise if state and federal leaders in the US were to come up with recommendations and implement them. As a result, a big stride would have been made towards achieving the objective of fighting against or alleviating the challenges faced by the Hispanic population. First, more jobs or rather employment opportunities should be created in order to accommodate the Hispanic population in the US. Arguably, the unemployment rate among the Hispanics is higher as compared to the other races in the US. In 2011, the rate of unemployment for Hispanics stood at an average of 11.5 percent. In the same year, research shows that the rate of unemployment among the whites stood at 7.9 percent. The disparity is noticeable, and this is one of the reasons for the challenges faced by Hispanics in the US. To make matters worse, there is an overrepresentation of Hispanics in the construction and manufacturing industries in the US, and in these sectors, the salaries or wages are significantly low. Other well-paying sectors such as the education and health services experience an underrepresentation of the Hispanics. See figure 1 in the appendix to have a view of the Hispanic labor force deployment in the US. Thus, through the creation of more job opportunities, Hispanics would have continuous and consistent sources of income that would play an integral role in attending to challenges of poverty that they face. Poverty is an aspect that comes about due to the lack of financial resources, human resources, or other natural resources and necessities such as food, water, as well as shelter. With income security and provision, it would be possible for the Hispanic population to ensure food security, establish proper and effective shelters, as well as having good clothing (Cornwell & Waite, 2009). Second, in order to address the challenges and poverty related problems faced by the Hispanic population, state and federal governments should ensure that Hispanics have access to education. Without a doubt, education is a factor that is considered a gateway to success. It is for this reason that one of the Millennium Development Goals is to ensure every individual has access to educational services. Bearing in mind that the population of the Hispanics is one of the fastest growing in the US, it would be essential if the Hispanic youths attained education, and this would help them evade the problems they face presently and in the future. Through education, people can create job opportunities. Moreover, education provides people with knowledge of ensuring food safety and security, thus, playing an integral role in alleviating poverty. Research shows that there has been a significant progress in education attainment among the Hispanics especially in the attainment of postsecondary education. Nevertheless, they have continued to lag behind other races in terms of educational attainment, and this should be addressed. The rise in levels of crime among the Hispanics is owed to poverty and the lack of education (Gentry, 2010). With education, there is a possibility that Hispanic population, especially the youth will attain better and well-paying jobs. Studies show that in the US, employers give preference to workers with a college degree, and, in fact, pay them approximately 50 percent more than they pay workers with lower educational levels. It is notable; therefore, that investing in education amidst the fast growing population of the Hispanics would be a crucial step to eliminating or rather alleviating the challenges faced by the community. Third, in a bid to eliminate the myriads of challenges faced by the Hispanic population, it would be right to ensure that they have access to proper and effective health services (Angel & Whitefield, 2007). It is with no doubt that the Hispanic population in the US faces serious problems when it comes to accessing adequate healthcare. This is supported by studies that indicate that, in 2007, 6 out of 10 people of Hispanic origin lacked health insurance coverage. The impact of this is that there have been health disparities, as well as variations in access to preventive health care among the Hispanic population. In the long run, the Hispanics have been on the receiving end of social problems. For instance, in the US, Hispanic children are believed to have the highest rate of obesity. In addition, there is a likelihood that more Hispanics die from complications associated with pregnancies (Elo et al., 2006). A large number of Hispanics are also affected by HIV/AIDS, and this is significantly higher than their white counterparts (Angel & Whitefield, 2007).
Rationale
The critical race theory articulates that people are not necessarily racists but the existing culture inculcated in them by the society makes them develop racist ideas and feelings towards people not of their color and language (Delgado & Stefancic, 2012). It is also argued that racism and ethnic feelings have played an integral role in causing or leading to some of the issues and challenges that face the aging Hispanic population or "minorities" in the United States, as well as their children and families. Therefore, the recommendations such as the creation of more job or employment opportunities in the US should not be on the basis of race. Instead, every racial or ethnic group in the US, should have equal access to job opportunities. This will enable the minority groups such as the Hispanics not be left out. Besides, the provision of educational services should not be on the basis of racial origin. In the past years, better educational services have been reserved or rather set aside for the White people. This practice needs to be reversed, and people need to have equal access to educational services. Racism is and will continue to be a big barrier to social and economic development unless it is stopped. The people with the authority and chance of bringing the practice to an end are the state and national leaders. They have to stress on the fact that the perpetrators of racism in the provision of social services such as education will be arrested and charged. On the other hand, the access to health services should not be on the basis of color, origin or race. Racism has been a major factor in preventing equal access and distribution of health services in the United States (Delgado & Stefancic, 2012). As a result, the minority groups such as the Hispanics have had a hard time in accessing such services. It is not right to blame the Hispanics for the problems and challenges that they face. Instead, people should fight to do away with practices such as racism, and, this would bring the problems that Hispanics face to an end.
Implementation
In order to, implement the recommendations above, the state and federal authorities must be in total control of every developmental activity in the United States. The governments should see to it that more industries are established in the US, and this will increase job opportunities. Once established, the authorities should ensure that every person has a right to employment in the industries. Second, in order to help the Hispanics have access to educational services, the state, and federal governments should establish more schools, especially secondary schools, and colleges. An increase in the number of schools would provide the Hispanics better chances of accessing educational services. Third, the state and federal governments should establish and construct more health facilities with an aim of improving the access to health services. This would enhance the chances of the minority groups having access to the services without discrimination (Gentry, 2010).
Evaluation
Once established, the state and federal governments should formulate bodies that visit and evaluate the services provided in health care institutions. If it is discovered that every racial group has no challenge when it comes to accessing health services, then the recommendation will have been successfully implemented. It is also advisable that the relevant authorities examine the established industries and how people acquire jobs and operate in them. Additionally, creation of commissions to countercheck the access to and provision of educational services to every racial group in the US would be a perfect way of evaluating whether the implementation of the recommendation is a success or not (Gentry, 2010).
References
Angel, J. L., & Whitefield, K. E. (2007). The health of ageing Hispanics the Mexican-origin population. Durham: Springer Science.
Cornwell, E. Y., & Waite, L. J. (2009). Social disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and health among older Hispanic adults. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 50(1), 31-48.
Delgado, R., & Stefancic, J. (2012). Critical race theory: An introduction. New York & London: New York University Press.
Elo, I. T., Turra, C. M., Kestenbaum, B., & Ferguson, B. R. (2006, February). Mortality among elderly Hispanics in the United States: Past evidence and new results. Demography, 41(1), 109-128. Retrieved March 21, 2015, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1515215
Gentry, M. (2010). Challenges of elderly immigrants. Human Services Today, 6(2), 2-10. Retrieved March 22, 2015, from http://hst.coehs.uwosh.edu
