The term respect becomes a word with multiple meanings, one that expresses one's attitude toward life or how one responds to the counsel of the elderly members in the family. In American Indian culture, joking, telling stories, and creating songs of struggle and pain have long been a tradition. Teachers misunderstand Latino children's facial expressions and humor. These teachers who are engaged in cross-cultural dialogues with Latino children may interpret them as weakness, nervousness or not being serious. Love and affection is a great thing in Latino culture.
Latino culture encourages touching.
When children don't reciprocate, it can be interpreted as disrespectful. Latinos cling to the tradition of keeping the family name and keeping the family together. Many Hispanics do not leave home when they are 18. This sometimes clashes with the American notion of individuality and independence. The Latino dropout rate is at its highest, though many of the middle class are Latinos.