Each Latino subgroup holds unique characteristics, a fact that is usually veiled by a desire to homogenize and create uniformity based on a common spoken language. A new poll conducted by the fine folks at NPR unveiled some of the factors unique to each group, which varies further depending on the number of U.S. native and immigrants to belong to each group. For example: individuals of Dominican descent were most likely to be temporarily unemployed; Cubans citizens reported college degrees or higher, and home ownership; Central Americans individuals were one of the subgroups to speak only Spanish at home; South American were least likely to have children younger than 18 in their household, and Mexican respondents were better off than their parents were at the same age. 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NPR and the Harvard School of Public Health recently polled nearly 1,500 Latinos for a study that would later reiterate the fact that Latinos are not monolithic; instead, they represent unique Latin American national identities. The research was published in January of this year, during an era that harps on about the value of "Latino buying power" and "the Latino vote," which approximates that there isn't diversity within the thoughts, needs and concerns of Latino Americans.

Education, personal finances, religious beliefs, community concerns, and health were some aspects examined in the lives of respondents. Ethnic-ancestry subgroups were established in respondents: Cubans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, South American and Central Americans identified themselves, as well as immigrants and those who were born in the United States. Respondents from each group were likely to say that the economy, crime and violence were the biggest concerns within their community. Also, 40 percent of Latinos stated that a majority or all of the people within that community were Latino. However, other concerns, statistics and interests vary by subgroup.

Dominican-Americans, more than other groups, were dissatisfied with where they lived, and less than 1 in 5 Dominicans achieved "the American dream," though they, like all Latino subgroups, stated they had or would achieve the American dream.

More than other groups, Cuban-Americans stated they were less likely to experience discrimination. However, despite reporting high levels of education, nearly half of Cubans said that their finances were not very good or poor (compared to just over one-third of all Latino respondents). Cubans were also more concerned than any other Latino groups that they or someone within their household was going to lose a job in the next 12 months.

The Puerto Rican sub-group was the only group that took the poll primarily in English (80 percent --compared to a 50-50 used with other Latino groups). They were also more likely to speak English at home. Puerto Ricans were less concerned than other Latinos that they would lose jobs within the next 12 months.

The least educated group was the Central Americans; almost half had less than a high school education. They were also significantly more likely to have children younger than 18 living at home.

South Americans were most likely to not only be employed, but most likely to be employed full-time compared to other groups. South Americans were more likely to say that they were born in another country than Mexicans Americans, who comprise the largest immigrant group.

Mexican-Americans were the largest Latino group to be a part of the study, and the largest Latino group in the country -- immigrants and natives. Despite this, they were more likely than most to say that they were born in the country.

More than 50 percent of the U.S. adult Latino population was born outside of the country; for this reason, the survey also inquired about the quality of life, and the economic security, and use of language among immigrants and non-immigrant Latinos. More than 60 percent of immigrants spoke only Spanish, or more Spanish than English, at home.  

Latino immigrants believed that their children would benefit from educational opportunities better than their own (91 percent) more than native-born Latinos (68 percent). They also believed that their children would be financially better off. Latino immigrants were more likely than native-born Latinos to have attained less than a high school education. Employed immigrants were more likely to be concerned about a loss of employment in the next 12 months. They also confessed that they did not have enough funds or health insurance to pay for a major illness.

Native-born Latinos born in the U.S. tend to be younger than those born abroad, and they are more likely than immigrant Latinos to state that their finances were good or excellent. A commonality between natives and immigrants was religion. A majority of all Latinos stated that religion was important in their lives -- though U.S.-born Latinos were twice as likely to say that religion was not as important.