Latinx millennials, especially those who are descendants of immigrants, are changing the rules on what personal success looks like. A wide majority of individuals in this demographic consider increased upward mobility a personal success. They think it’s equally all of our efforts together to uplift their parents’ social and financial conditions. Further proof comes from a new report by UC Merced sociology professor Daisy Verduzco Reyes. At the same time, it’s a story that shows just how much cultural expectations are wrapped up with the economic realities.
Now published in the journal Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, the study acted as a launching pad for Reyes’ forthcoming book. This new work will serve as a complement to her first project, “Learning to Be Latino.” This new study demonstrates the harsh realities of socio-economic factors on Latinx families. These findings are most timely, particularly with the effects of the Great Recession still in play. For context, middle-income Latinx families saw a wealth loss of 55% between 2007 and 2016. By comparison, middle-income white families lost 31% of their wealth over this time.
Economic Challenges Faced by Latinx Families
Reyes’ research underscores the painful economic burdens that millions of Latinx families have experienced over the past 10 years. As with many other communities, the impact of the Great Recession has exacerbated existing economic inequalities. As a result, millions of Latinx millennials are now carrying the burden of being the financial bedrock for their families.
85% were first-generation college students. Furthermore, 96% of them self-identified as of Mexican origin. This pilot study collected survey responses from 40 women and 21 men. They all said the same thing about how they felt in their own families.
“Millennials are worse off economically than previous generations in terms of income, wealth, homeownership and debt,” – Daisy Verduzco Reyes
This economic landscape underlies the experiences and perspectives of young adults. In fact, they view their financial responsibilities more as a privilege than a burden. For most first-generation Mexican American college graduates, success means being able to pay their parents’ bills or buying their parents’ homes outright.
The Cultural Imperative of Family Responsibility
Our findings show cultural expectations are a powerful driver of Latinx millennials’ mobility aspirations. Reyes describes this obligation as the “Latinx mobility bargain,” or the “immigrant bargain.” This idea highlights the focus on family that is central to their cultural identities.
“Lifting the social or financial status of their elders is a goal that often defines upward mobility for Latinx millennials, especially the children of immigrants,” – Daisy Verduzco Reyes.
The research paints a picture of the majority of respondents’ perceptions of their sacrifice for their family’s quality of life as simply return on investment. This cultural imperative motivates millennials to go above and beyond, often leading them to feel personally responsible. They step up for their parents as emotional and financial caregivers.
“The one idea that none of the respondents questioned was the cultural imperative of the immigrant bargain, the idea of taking care of your parents. Some might expect this ‘burden’ to feed resentment, but none of my respondents expressed any such feelings,” – Daisy Verduzco Reyes.
Redefining Success and Accomplishment
For these young adults, responsibilities to family often come first. Traditional metrics of success, such as amassing certain levels of wealth or advancing in a career, go by the wayside. For a lot of them, being able to bring their parents over is one of their greatest successes. This incredible responsibility pushes their personal growth and mobility to the back burner.
“For many Latinx millennials, providing for parents has constrained their mobility trajectories. Yet this constraint is perceived as an accomplishment,” – Daisy Verduzco Reyes.
This approach turns traditional notions of success and achievement completely upside down. Instead of solely focusing on personal gain, many Latinx millennials are redefining what it means to be successful within the context of family and community.