[Candice19215]

There are more Latinos moving into our community, and I strive to welcome them. Part of my job takes me into homes in the community – and of course, Latino homes. I am trying to learn the culture so as to be polite and not offend, but one thing is curious to me: In several homes I have visited, especially with younger heads of household, there have been several large stuffed animals on display. These are usually of cartoon characters, bears or dogs and some are 2-4 feet tall. Sometimes they are hanging on the walls like pictures. Why are these used as prominent decorative pieces?

User Detail :  

Name : Candice19215, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 25, City : Fremont, State : NE, Country : United States, Occupation : education, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Dan27303]

I’ve noticed this here and there. I guess we just like to decorate our houses with inexpensive items. Sometimes you’ll see clown and circus animal statuettes bought from flea markets, sometimes you’ll see little plastic dolls from 25 cent vending machines, sometimes you’ll see empty tequila bottles lined up on the mantle, sometimes you’ll see a drawing made by a family member, etc. It has a folksy, kitschy charm to it, and it’s a heck of a lot easier on the wallet than getting stuff from Spiegel or Nordstrom.

User Detail :  

Name : Dan27303, Gender : M, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Religion : Pentecostal Christian, Age : 21, City : Los Angeles area, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[ACC24059]

I’ve never seen, heard or read about anything like what you describe among Latinos. I’ve always associated adults with stuffed toys as something young white women sometimes have a thing for, as a way of playfully showing they haven’t yet needed to grow up because their families are so well-off. Sounds to me like what you’re assuming is something that a few Latinos do is actually more a sign of upper middle class assimilation or imitating well-off white women.

User Detail :  

Name : ACC24059, Race : Mexican and American Indian, Age : 34, City : W. Lafayette, State : IN, Country : United States, Occupation : Grad student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

[Alma31466]

I don’t agree that one can assume the questioner thinks all Hispanics have stuffed animals in an attempt to mimic rich white women. This generally lower-middle-class white lesbian has about 30 stuffed animals in her living room. My partner and I have collected them over the years to celebrate various occassions, and none of them cost more than $10. The primary reason Y Forum has been so successful is that people feel questions about other cultures can be asked without being raked over the coals for having the nerve to ask the question.

User Detail :  

Name : Alma31466, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Lesbian, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Methodist, Age : 46, City : Kempner, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : unemployed, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[R.A.L]

I have never heard or seen of any latinos having stuffed animals hung on their walls. If they do have them there then it might be for decoration. Everyone likes stuffed animals and I’m sure that they have their little collectio too. Im out.

User Detail :  

Name : R.A.L, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Bisexual, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Age : 17, City : B-more, State : MD, Country : United States, Occupation : Catering, 

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