tic. In the same three age groups for whites, Mexican Americans have 109%, 52%, and 45% higher fertility rates.This showing that, Mexican American families tend to be larger. Mexican American families average 4.15 persons, compared with 3.23 for the total population. Furthermore, 71% of all Mexican families have children under the age of eighteen residing in the home, compared with non-Hispanic families, who report only 48.9% have children under age eighteen living in the home. Also, Mexican families are twice as likely to have small children under age six. (Ramirez 1990 & 1991).Many have questioned what accounts for the high fertility and birth rates among Mexican Americans; it will continue to generate debate over cultural or structural explanations. Or do both play a part in the high rates?MARRIAGE AND DIVORCEThe marriage pattern among Mexican Americans is similar to those of other groups. According to the U.S. Bureau of Census, individuals over the age of fifteen, 59.6% are married, compared with 59.2 percent for the total United States population. The divorce rate of 5.4%, the lowest rate of all groups, compared with the United States population average of 7.2%.. These percentages are based on the U.S. Bureau of Census. With respect to family stability among Mexican American families, 75.7% are headed by married couples, 18.6% of Mexican American families are female-headed households and male-headed families 5.8% are likely to take on the single parent role than any other group. These concluding, Mexican families generally appear to be stable, two-parent families with a relatively lower rate of divorce than other ethnic families. ASSIMILATION and INTERMARRIAGEAssimilation is defined as a multidimensional process in which ethnic groups begin to blend into a total community. Given this idea, Mexican Americans are only moderately assimilated. They are beginning to be a political strength, a voting bloc sought after, and a s...
