Identity

Through public opinion surveys and analysis of demographic data the Center examines Hispanic attitudes towards a variety of matters in order to better understand how Latinos view themselves and their place in U.S. society. This includes a regular exploration of opinions on public policy issues as well as efforts to measure the process of assimilation among foreign-born Latinos.

Related Publications

4.1.2010
Latinos and the 2010 Census: The Foreign Born Are More Positive

12.11.2009
Between Two Worlds: How Young Latinos Come of Age in America

5.28.2009
Who’s Hispanic?
Is Judge Sonia Sotomayor the first Hispanic ever nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court, or does that distinction belong to Justice Benjamin Cardozo, who served on the court from 1932-38 and whose family tree apparently had some roots in Portugal? The question of who's Hispanic -- and who isn't -- turns out to be pretty complicated.

11.29.2007
English Usage Among Hispanics in the United States
Nearly all adult children of Latino immigrants, but only a small minority of immigrants, describe themselves as fluent in English. English is spoken more commonly at work than at home by all generations. Hispanic immigrants report greater fluency in English if they are highly educated, arrived in the United States as children or have spent many years here. Those born in Puerto Rico and South America are the most likely to say they are proficient in English; Mexican-born are the least likely.

10.25.2007
Between Here and There: How Attached Are Latino Immigrants to Their Native Country?
Most Latino immigrants maintain some connection to their native country by sending remittances, traveling back or telephoning relatives, but just one-in-ten engages in all three activities on a regular basis and nearly three-in-ten engage in none. The attachment of Latino immigrants to their native country is related to where they came from, their age at arrival, and their years in the U.S, and their attitudes toward the U.S.

6.6.2007
How Far Behind in Math and Reading are English Language Learners?
The fast-growing number of students designated as English language learners are among the farthest behind in reading and math, according to an analysis that is based on standardized test scores. About 51% of 8th grade ELL students trail whites in reading and math, meaning that the scores for one out of every two will have to improve for the group to achieve parity. In the 4th grade, 35% of ELL students are behind in math and 47% are behind in reading when compared with their white counterparts.

4.25.2007
Changing Faiths: Latinos and the Transformation of American Religion
Hispanics are transforming the nation's religious landscape, especially the Catholic Church, not only because of their growing numbers but also because they are practicing a distinctive form of Christianity. Religious expressions associated with the pentecostal and charismatic movements are a key attribute of worship for Hispanics in all the major religious traditions -- far more so than among non-Latinos. The growth of the Hispanic population is also leading to the emergence of Latino-oriented churches across the country.

3.14.2007
Latinos Online
Internet use is comparatively low among Latinos, though there are considerable differences within this diverse population. Hispanics whose primary language is Spanish and who have lower levels of education are largely disconnected from the internet, but those who are born in the U.S. and are English speakers have rates comparable to non-Hispanic whites.

11.27.2006
Latinos and the 2006 Mid-term Election

10.2.2006
Hispanics and the 2006 Election

2.22.2006
Pew Hispanic Center Survey of Mexicans Living in the U.S. on Absentee Voting in Mexican Elections
Strict requirements, insufficient information about registration procedures and lack of public interest hobbled Mexico's first effort to conduct absentee voting among its more than ten million adult citizens living in the United States, according to a Pew Hispanic Center survey. About one-half of one percent of Mexicans in the U.S. sought absentee ballots for the presidential election in July during a registration period which ended last month. Full toplines are available under "Other Resources."

12.6.2004
Shades of Belonging: Latinos and Racial Identity
The findings of this study suggest that Hispanics see race as a measure of belonging, and whiteness as a measure of inclusion, or of perceived inclusion. The report reveals that Latinos' choice to identify as white, or not, does not exclusively reflect permanent markers such as skin color or hair texture but that race is also related to characteristics that can change, such as economic status and perceptions of civic enfranchisement. Whiteness is clearly associated with distance from the immigrant experience. Thus, the U.S.-born children of immigrants are more likely to declare themselves white than their foreign-born parents, and the share of whiteness is higher still among the grandchildren of immigrants. In addition, the acquisition of U.S. citizenship is associated with whiteness.

4.19.2004
Changing Channels And Crisscrossing Cultures: A Survey Of Latinos On The News Media
Getting the news could be the single most extensive cross-cultural experience for the Hispanic population in America, according to a report issued today the Pew Hispanic Center. A growing number of Hispanics switch between English and Spanish to get the news. Rather than two audiences sharply segmented by language, the survey shows that many more Latinos get at least some of their news in both English and Spanish than in just one language or the other.

3.19.2004
Latinos in California, Texas, New York, Florida and New Jersey
This survey brief compares the views and experiences of Latinos living in five states with large Latino populations. Topics include country of origin, identity, citizenship, politics and discrimination.

1.26.2004
Pew Hispanic Center/Kaiser Family Foundation National Survey Of Latinos: Education
National Survey of Latinos: Education is a new comprehensive survey of Latino attitudes toward education, public schools and a variety of education issues, including the No Child Left Behind Act. This national survey is released against the backdrop of major changes in the nation's K-12 system as states and school districts apply sweeping new federal requirements. Conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center and the Kaiser Family Foundation, the survey includes substantial comparison samples of whites and African Americans.

9.25.2003
2003 Multilingual Survey Of California Voters

12.17.2002
Pew Hispanic Center/Kaiser Family Foundation 2002 National Survey Of Latinos