AP-Univision Poll: For US Hispanics, high hopes blend with realism, deep economic stress

AP-Univision Poll: US Hispanics mix hopes, strains

MIAMI — An Associated Press-Univision poll of the nation’s Hispanics shows that the largest and fastest-growing minority has high hopes for the future, but feels constrained by deep financial problems and worries.

Latinos widely believe education is crucial and should be the most important goal for boys and girls finishing high school.

But in numbers well exceeding the general population, large percentages of Hispanics say they or a family member have recently been unemployed, and express worry about losing jobs and paying bills.

Hispanics also have complex views of their role in U.S. society. A majority says it is important to blend — yet an even larger majority says it is important to maintain their distinct cultures.