race vs. ethnicity

Question

I work at a doctor's office, and when we enter new patient information into the computer, we have to put race in. I was looking for the Latino/Hispanic race, and it is not there. However, I looked under ethnicity, and I found Latino/Hispanic. I was wondering what peoples' opinions are. Is Latino/Hispanic a race or an ethnicity?

Answer 1

Ethnicity is distinguished by common customs, characteristics, language, common history, etc. (i.e External factors)

Race is defined scientifically by the relative frequency of genes within a population (i.e. internal factors)

In the past race was distinguished by phenotypic characteristics (physical features including stature; hair, eye and skin color; bodily proportions; etc) rather than genotypic (common genes) and because of this many anthropologists have only recognized three primary races: Caucasoid, Negroid and Mongoloid.

Based on this criteria, it is possible to have the same ethnicity yet be of a different race.

In any event, each of these are purely artificial and imperfect distinctions and definitely not worth getting too worked up about.

• Dead right Izanoni - toooo much emphasis on this recently. - ian-hill Feb 21, 2010
• there is nothing "scientific" or genetic about race. it is a social construct that many believe is somehow real or scientific when really it's only is in social contexts. there are far too many differences between humans for "races"basedonskintone toexist - maebeerman Dec 3, 2010

Answer 2

I think a doctors office is the only places where race is actually relevent. Certain races are prone to certain conditions like say sicle cell aniemia. The question ticks me off on any other form. We are all the same on the inside. Of course I can be uptight that way

Answer 3

I think a doctors office is the only places where race is actually (sic) relevent.

I would tend to agree up to a point; however, even in the doctor's office, this distinction regarding race is rarely accompanied by any form of genetic testing, and because of the amount of genetic diversity that exists amongst the established criteria for race, making any type of recommendation based solely on this broad definition of ancestry is tricky at best.

In my opinion, this question is only valid if it is also accompanied by an evaluation of lifestyle factors along with appropriate genetic tests; otherwise, it simply serves as a flawed method of gathering epidemiological evidence.

Answer 4

sicle cell anemia - is not just a "black" condition - it is caused by living too close to contaminated water.

Mainly affects black people though.

• sickle cell=shaped like a sickle - qfreed Feb 21, 2010
• thanks for your two cents..lol - maebeerman Dec 3, 2010

Answer 5

"Do you smoke?" is another one that gets me.

If you say "No" the next question is "Have you ever smoked?"

Why do doctors not ask the second question first?

While I am at it I am "indigenous" but am never asked about it. I was born in England.

• Well, if they asked "Have you ever smoked?" first; the 2nd question would be ( if you answered yes) "Do you still smoke?". You're going to be asked both no matter how you phrase it. - qfreed Feb 21, 2010