|
The higher the
level of education a person attains, the more likely it is that he
or she will be a computer or Internet user. Those with an education
higher than a college degree are most likely to be both computer
users and Internet users. Those with a bachelor degree are second
most likely. Those with a high school diploma or less are least
likely to be computer or Internet users.
Computer and Internet Use Anywhere by
Educational Attainment, Percent of Persons Age 25 +
Source: A Nation Online, Figure 2-9
|
Computer Use,
1997,2001
|
 |
|
Internet Use
|
 |
Adult Latinos have low rates of educational attainment and high
dropout rates in high school where most computer and Internet
exposure for children occurs, thus limiting future job attainment in
areas requiring computer related skills.
|
|
Latinos
|
National Average
|
|
Less Than
High School |
43%
|
15.9%
|
|
High School
or More |
57%
|
84.1%
|
|
Bachelors
Degree or More |
19.4%
|
25.6%
|
|
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, CPS March 2000
|
Definitions as used in
Census Surveys
|
Household
|
Family
|
| A
household consists of all the people who occupy a housing unit
regardless of relationship. |
A family
is a group of two people or more (one of whom is the
householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and
residing together. |
|
Computer
Access
|
Computer in
household
|
| A person
is considered to have computer access regardless of location of
access (including work, computer technology centers, libraries,
other public sources, and home) |
If a
computer is present in the home a person in the household is
considered to have access to that computer. |
|
Internet Access
|
Internet Access in household
|
| A person
is considered to have Internet access regardless of location of
access (including work, computer technology centers, libraries,
other public sources, and home) |
A
household in which at least one member is using the Internet in
the home. |
What does the digital
divide in the Latino community mean for the rest of the country?
- Latinos
make up about 12.5% of the U.S. population.
- Latinos
made up 9% the U.S. population in 1990, this percentage has grown
to 12.5% in 2000.
- Of the five
largest cites in the U.S., four cities have Latino populations of
25% or more.
|
U.S.
Largest Cities*
|
Latino
%
|
|
1. New
York, NY |
27.0% |
|
2. Los
Angeles, CA |
46.5% |
|
3.
Chicago, IL |
26.0% |
|
4.
Houston, TX |
37.4% |
|
5.
Philadelphia, PA |
8.5% |
|
* Cities are ordered from larger populations to smaller
|
The issues
affecting Latinos affect a growing proportion of our nation and the
cities this nation depends on for prosperity. While a computer and
Internet access are not a cure alls, they are tools that can be used
to find jobs, community resources, medical and legal information, as
well as communicate with other people. A better job can bring more
money to individuals and families. The Internet can bring a world
full of information to students, and community members. All of these
together can improve the quality of life of people and communities.
As a nation concerned for the well being of it’s own future, we need
to provide as many opportunities and tools for aid every segment of
society to prosper.
Written and
compiled by , Leticia Valdez, Summer Fellow 2002.
For additional
information contact Ana Montes, Technology and Telecommunications
Director for the Latino Issues Forum a non-profit organization in
San Francisco, CA.
phone: (415) 284~7208 e-mail:
anamontes@lif.org |
