Hispanic or Latino – which is correct?
This has long been a question of how Hispanics and/or Latino’s like to be referred as in the United States.
Hispanic is considered an ethnic category rather than a racial group. Hispanics make up the largest ethnic minority (16.7%; 1 in 6 Americans are Hispanic) and this percentage is anticipated to grow to 30% by the year 2050.
The Hispanic Millennials (born 1981 – 2000) accounted for 25% of all Hispanic/Latinos in the country (43% of Hispanic Millennials are Foreign Born). Furthermore, out of all the Gen Yers living in the United States, 21% were identified as Hispanic (Geoscape, 2013).
According to a new Pew Research Center survey of Hispanic adults, half (50%) say they have no preference for either term! However, the Hispanic Generation Y’s prefer to be referred to as a “Hispanic” rather than “Latino”. Among those adults who do have a preference, “Hispanic” is preferred over “Latino” by a ratio of about 2-1.
While nearly half of all Hispanic Texans (46%) prefer the term “Hispanic,” just 8% prefer the term “Latino.” This pattern resonated throughout other parts of the country.