Fordham GSS Online Faculty member Mollie Charter, Ph.D., has just published research that studies the impact of language on the survey results from one Northeastern state with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The article, titled “Latinx Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Language” was published in Child Welfare.
“It is also not enough for organizations to provide services in Spanish or information in languages other than English,” the article reads. “Language is not the primary or even secondary difference between their English- speaking or Spanish-speaking clients. Instead, social work practice needs to encompass different resource access and cultural norms. Specifically, programs should be designed to respect the additional barriers that Spanish- speaking families experience. In addition, practitioners should engage trusted leaders in Spanish-speaking communities to identify and address concerns and perceptions unique to that community.”
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of enormous challenge for people living in the United States. Groups who are marginalized, like the Latinx population, have faced worse health and employment outcomes, which are integral to the welfare of families and children. In an effort to better understand the experiences of Latinx families during the pandemic, survey findings of a Latinx sample gathered from one Northeastern state were compared based on whether the survey was taken in Spanish or English. Findings indicate heterogeneity within the Latinx population based on language. Those who took the survey in Spanish reported more challenges in terms of employment, child care, and distance learning.
