Bilingualism, Identity, and the Hidden Struggles of Hispanic Families in the U.S.

Introduction

Raising bilingual and bicultural children in the United States is often misunderstood. What many see as a “problem” with English proficiency is, in fact, a natural part of growing up multilingual. Yet, pressure from schools, daycare, and society can turn language into a source of stress, shame, and cultural loss.

In this post, I reflect on my own experiences as a parent and the silent struggles faced by many Hispanic families—struggles that are at the heart of my novel Between Two Worlds.

The Ignorance About Multilingualism in the U.S.

One of the hardest parts of raising bilingual children in the United States is not the children themselves—it is the ignorance of the system around them.

When my son was very young, his daycare teacher often told me that he didn’t “speak English well” and warned me that he might struggle in school. But I knew better. What she was seeing was not a deficit—it was simply the natural process of becoming bilingual. I was never worried. I knew my son’s brain was learning to hold two languages at once, and that this was a gift, not a problem.

What I did not expect was how alone I would feel in that conviction. Again and again, I was told: “Speak English at home.” I never did. When they recommended speech therapy, I agreed—but found a bilingual therapist at the University of Memphis. The evaluation confirmed what I already knew: my son was perfectly fine. He was growing up bilingual.

For so many Hispanic families, however, the pressure is overwhelming. Out of fear that their children will fall behind, parents comply. They stop speaking Spanish at home. They correct their children when they mix languages. Slowly, Spanish begins to fade.

When Language Loss Becomes Identity Loss

Language loss never comes alone. When a child loses Spanish, they also lose part of their culture—the songs their grandmother sang, the prayers of their parents, the stories of where they came from. They begin to live in an “in-between” world where they do not feel fully American, but no longer feel fully Hispanic either.

The result? An entire generation that loves tacos, wears embroidered blouses, celebrates Hispanic holidays, and embraces culture on the surface—but cannot speak the language that connects them to its roots. They identify as American, but society often does not recognize them as fully American either.

This is not a small issue. Linguistic struggles turn into cultural struggles, and cultural struggles become generational wounds. We are raising children who carry the silent weight of being “not enough” on both sides. And in that silence, identity becomes fragmented.

A Personal Battle

For me, this was not only the seed of my novel Between Two Worlds—it was also a personal battle I refused to lose. I never doubted that my children would grow up bilingual. What I didn’t realize, at first, was how much resistance I would face from the very environment around me—an environment that still does not see bilingualism as an asset.

Today, my son is in third grade. His English and reading levels are excellent—well above average. He loves school, he enjoys reading, and he has no problem with English at all. Yet, now I face a different challenge: English has become his comfort zone. Even though we have always watched movies in Spanish and sung Spanish songs, he gravitates more toward English media.

This is the reality for most heritage speakers: among siblings and friends, English becomes the default. Yet, in my home, we persist in Spanish-only. My children still speak Spanish with one another, which is rare, and I feel immense pride in that. They even ask me how to translate words when talking to their grandmother. Even when they know I speak English, they prefer to stay in Spanish with me—stretching themselves, searching for words, and daring to use the language for deeper topics. That persistence is precious.

The Larger Picture

Still, I look around and feel a deep sadness. An entire generation of Hispanic youth in the U.S. is losing Spanish. Many cannot read it, cannot write it, and speak it only with difficulty. And with that loss comes something far greater: the slow erosion of culture itself.

Language is culture. Language is memory. Language is a powerful tool—not just for communication, but also for education, business, and cognitive development. Countless studies show that bilingual children develop sharper skills in problem-solving, creativity, and adaptability—skills desperately needed in a world increasingly shaped by technology.

The United States could be a place where multilingualism and multiculturalism flourish, where we learn the best from one another. But if we, as Hispanics, hide our language and stop passing it on, why would anyone else see it as valuable?

Spanish is spoken in more than 22 countries. It is the second most spoken language in the United States. There are more Hispanics in the U.S. than in some entire Spanish-speaking countries. This reality should make us proud. Instead of silencing our language, we should be preserving it, celebrating it, and sharing it.

Because saving our language means saving our stories, our roots, and the best of who we are.

A Story That Reflects Our Reality

These struggles—the loss of language, the fragmentation of identity, the quiet resilience of families who refuse to let go—are at the heart of my novel Between Two Worlds.

Through the story of Ana Martínez Hernández, I wanted to give voice to what so many families live in silence: the ache of being caught between cultures, and the beauty of daring to embrace both.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to grow up translating for your parents, to navigate school with two tongues in your head, or to love two flags at once—this book is for you. And if you’ve never lived those experiences yourself, then this book is also for you, because it will help you see your neighbors, your students, and your community with new eyes.

👉 I invite you to read Between Two Worlds. May Ana’s story remind us all that bilingualism is not a weakness, but a strength—and that our languages and cultures are worth preserving, for the sake of our children and the generations yet to come.

Javiera Navarrete MA. – Author, Educator, Advocate for Hispanic Voices Passionate about bilingualism, culture, and storytelling, Javiera writes novels and essays that explore identity, belonging, and the human experience.

📚 Read her novel: Between Two Worlds – [Insert book link]

🌐 Website / Blog: https://booksbyjavi.com/

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