The Mexican American Professionals.

The Pew Hispanic Center has at last realized that Mexican Americans like to be referred to as Mexican and not Hispanic. The groundbreaking fact that governmental institutions are referring to Hispanics as Mexicans or other specific groups is forward-moving in two ways:

1. It gives governmental and other institutions a more accurate reading of the Mexican American community, making it easier to plan and project.

2. It provides Mexican Americans and the larger population with recognition for their accomplishments. In California, the Hispanic population is now equal to the white population and Mexican Americans comprise the largest number of Hispanics.

Years ago, the Pew Hispanic Center lacked information about Mexican Americans—they only dealt with “Hispanics.” Since that time, the Pew Hispanic Center has concluded that “a report based on a nationwide survey” found most Hispanics don’t embrace the term “Hispanic,” and even fewer prefer the term “Latino.” Instead, they prefer specific terms including Guatemaltecos, Peruanos, and Mexicans.

The Pew Hispanic Center will continue to gather and release information pertinent to Mexican Americans with a more in-depth look at women and other variables. In the 2011 American Community Survey, Mexican American Women out-earned Bachelor’s degrees by 2%. They also outnumber men in several other professional areas. It is surprising to see that Mexican Americans, in at least one area, are almost equally represented.

The following data is from my article entitled “Results of the American Community Survey…for 2011”:

– 10.6% of the general population was employed in the professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services in 2010. In 2011, this number only increased by .1%.

– 10.1% of Mexican Americans were employed in these same industries in 2010. In 2011, this percentage remained the same.
This information benefits those in government or educational institutions that rely on this data to administer resources.