LATINO POPULATION GROWTH, CHARACTERISTICS, AND SETTLEMENT TRENDS: IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION IN A DYNAMIC POLITICAL CLIMATE

Abstract

This paper identifies a number of significant contemporary trends in the Latino population, including the striking growth of the community, new points of entry and settlement for recent immigrants, the mixed-status nature of families, and the increase in the proportion of U.S. households that speak Spanish. The implications of these trends for social welfare practice, programming, policy, and social work education are discussed in the context of a dynamic political climate regarding immigration. The paper concludes with a focus on the critical role of schools of social work in developing more meaningful responses to bilingual manpower needs and the complex cultural and social policy issues this community presents. Examples of curricular and programmatic responses are provided.