J for Joven.

Too obvious in a Hispanic dictionary, maybe YES... But we truly need to think about it again because the youth of the Hispanic market it’s not just a question of age... It’s a matter of the future for the USA. To be young in the US will be to be joven.

Let’s take a look at some numbers... From 2000 to 2007 50% of he population growth in the US came from US born Hispanics. 50% of the Hispanic population is under the age of 27 vs. 38 on the general market (that’s including African Americans and Hispanics). When you take a look at the US born Hispanics, 50% of them are under 17. The biggest growth in the US electoral base comes from US born Latinos reaching the age of 18. 

Even if you usually are bored by numbers, I’m sure by now you are truly impressed. At least I hope so. Big implications for the Hispanic market and the whole country come from here...

Do you want to speculate with us? Tell us what you think about this and what you consider will be the consequences for the future. It’s not required to be a visionary. Think about tomorrow and think as big or as little as you want.

But please, think, POST and SHARE Your comments, images, words, videos, links, below:

Joven. Clearly the Hispanic Population is joven, in every sense. There's nothing new about salsa, gloria estefan, or mexican food. But there is something new about hispanic political representation, NFL franchise ownership (Miami Dolphins), influence in mainstream pop culture. Being JOVEN, to me, is exploring things for the first time, with new energy. Latinos are doing so big time. Peace. El Alexo.

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Indeed, the growth in the young Hispanic community has mayor implications for the U.S. These new generations already have a big influence in the country’s culture, politics, and economy; and it is very important to know how their influence will shape the future of this country.

ARE YOUNG HISPANICS BETTER PREPARED THAN PREVIOUS GENERATIONS?

According to the Pew Research Center, Young Hispanics are more likely to be in school or in the work force than their counterparts were in previous generations.

Education: In 2007, 86% of Latinos 16-25 years old were either working or at school vs. 77% in 1970. Likewise, in 1970 only 1/3 of young female Hispanics were enrolled in school or college (mostly due to motherhood) vs. ½ of them by 2007.

Labor Force: Among young men, the labor force participation rate increased from 65% in 1970 to 68% in 2007. Among young female Hispanics, it grew from 40% in 1970 to 54% in 2007 (note that 2/3 of those who were not working or at school in 1970 were mothers.)

And even though Hispanics seem to be better prepared than previous generations, we still need to make up some ground in certain areas.

-       Hispanic youths continue to trail white and black youths in school enrollment

-       Hispanic women have the lowest rate of labor force participation of all race/gender groups

-       Incarceration rates for Hispanics have gone up slightly. By 1990, about 2% of Hispanic youths were incarcerated, up from less than 1% in 1970 (little changed has been seen since then.)

Take into consideration that previous generations were mostly foreign-born (in 2000, half of Hispanic youths were immigrants) and may have had more struggles and difficulties to get a job or get into school. As Hispanic population growth rates shift from previously having a higher proportion of immigrants to having a higher proportion of U.S. born Hispanics, more opportunities should be available for the Hispanic youth (by 2007, 61% of Hispanic youth was U.S. born.)

If this holds true, we should see a more educated and productive Hispanic workforce in years to come, which in turn will be able to shape a better life for ALL Hispanics living in the U.S. 

AMM