Pueblos y Ranchos: The role of Latino fathers and community leaders in serving Latino families in rural Northwest Iowa and Southern Minnesota

This ethnography study explored the role of Latino fathers in family life and their children’s education before and during the pandemic. The study also examined the role of Latino leaders and ally leaders in serving Latino fathers and their families in Northwest, Iowa and Southern, Minnesota before and during the pandemic. The sample consisted of 40 Latino fathers from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua and 22 leaders of Latino and European American backgrounds. The study utilized different qualitative inquiries including the larger ethnography, testimonios and observations to collect the data. Key findings included that the Latino fathers were moving beyond traditional interpretations of Latino fatherhood and masculinity in particular machismo. Rather the fathers were focused on a new family dynamic and Latino fatherhood that highlighted positive Latino family values and egalitarian beliefs. Another finding demonstrated that the Latino fathers were more actively engaged in their children's lives and education regardless of the circumstances. A key finding demonstrated that the fathers showed resilience before and during the pandemic in efforts to serve their families. The results showed that leaders were actively advocating for the Latino families before and during the pandemic. The study also found that Latino leaders were showing progress in helping rural communities move towards equity, diverse and inclusive for their communities. Implications for future research were provided.