Traditional and nontraditional cultures have similar and different aspects which are reflected on the behavior, values and beliefs which people hold. Traditional cultures are attributed to the fact that they borrow a lot from the tradition of a given group of people. These traditions are often imposed on the said people (Shiraev & Levy 2010). Non traditional culture on the other hand is achieved through socialization of traditions and is normally achieved through expansion of knowledge. When putting African Americans and Hispanics into perspective, these two cultures share a number of similarities and also have distinct differences with regard to their traditional and nontraditional cultural values.
The similarities are seen through the way in which their traditional values are passed down from one generation to the next. In fact, these two groups, since they set foot in America, have held on to themselves all through the generations of oppression as well as integration and conformity to Anglo Saxon traditions are just but a way of showing their progression to modernity while embracing their traditions and culture. One such tradition that both cultures have embraced is the fact that a father is the member who has the greatest power. They have also opened up to the fact that women can get out of the home and work.
Whereas these ethnic groups share a lot in traditional and nontraditional cultures, there is often some differences worth noting. Whereas Africa Americans have departed from their traditional ways of worship and embraced protestant worship, 90% of Hispanic has held onto Catholicism. The church has always influenced the family life of Hispanics whereas African Americans heavily rely on their traditions which strictly emphasize on the union of marriage. Even so, there seems to be coming up a trend in both where the younger generations of both are opening up to popular culture.
Reference
Shiraev, E., & Levy, D. (2010). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications (4th ed). Boston: Pearson
