As care approaches tend towards person-centered care, there is a growing need for cultural awareness and cultural competence in care processes. Integration of culturally competent care into the clinical setting is, in this aspect, warranted because of its significance in enhancing patient experiences. Healthcare providers are implored to demonstrate cultural awareness in their care provision processes. This paper highlights various cultural aspects of Puerto Rican culture, emphasizing their communication style, space and time orientation, verbal communication, and perception of male and female caregivers.
Male/Female Caregivers
The societal perception of gender-based caregiving roles differs across cultures. Caregiving roles among Puerto Ricans remain a predominantly feminine activity. Women are involved in the majority of caregiving roles among families of Puerto Rican culture. This points to the gender stereotype that remains rooted in this culture, as well as other Hispanic cultures that liken women to better caregiving. Caregiving roles in this regard entail bearing the physical and emotional burden of the affected family member. Women in these societies are responsible for lessening the physical and emotional liabilities of the affected member of the family (Balbim et al., 2019). In the Puerto Rican culture, daughters assume the caregiving role to the older family members, providing them with the necessary care and a sense of utility.
Communication Style
Culture defines, in part, communication styles and interpersonal relations. The Puerto Rican culture is significant in friendliness and warmth during interpersonal relations. Individuals from this culture utilize hand gestures and other body movements in their routine conversations. Hugging, kissing, handshaking, holding hands, patting, and embracing are common features of communication among members of this culture (Lafond, 2019). They also do not interrupt each other during conversations. Titles such as “senor,” “Professor,” and others often precede an individual name during a conversation as a sign of respect for the person.
Verbal Communication
The Puerto Rican culture is a blend of Spanish, African, and indigenous cultures. Spanish is the most dominant language in most Puerto Rican societies. Puerto Ricans maintain respect and politeness in their conversations. They are often expressive and emotional but maintain calm whenever one is talking. They rarely interrupt each other during conversations. Delicate information is often handled bluntly, as they always try to remain respectful and polite in their conversations (Matsuda et al., 2022). In this regard, long-winded and indirect approaches are used to avoid aggravating the other partner.
Space Orientation
Space orientation and socialization practices differ across cultures. Among Puerto Ricans, observation of personal space is a non-issue, as Puerto Ricans tend to stand closer to each other during conversations. Patting and touching during conversation are also common among persons of similar sex among members of this group (Lafond, 2019). Maintaining longer distances during a conversation is often regarded as being unfriendly across this culture. Eye contact is often appreciated as it is often perceived as a sign of respect and attentiveness.
Time Orientation
Unlike the American and European cultures that are strict on time, the Puerto Rican culture, like other Hispanic cultures, is often relaxed on time. Not adherent to timelines is an expected and allowed behavior among members of this culture. Lateness among members of this culture is slowly becoming a norm, with the term “Puerto Rican Time” coiled to suggest their tendency towards not being punctual. Notwithstanding, many people in Puerto Rico are time-savvy and aware of the significance of punctuality and keeping time.
References
Balbim, G. M., Magallanes, M., Marques, I. G., Ciruelas, K., Aguiñaga, S., Guzman, J., & Marquez, D. X. (2019). Sources of caregiving burden in middle-aged and older Latino caregivers. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 33(4), 185–194. https://doi.org/10.1177/0891988719874119.
Lafond, G. (2019). A study of communication and Hispanic cultural values within the family. DigitalCommons@URI. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/srhonorsprog/712/.