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that minority is becoming an increasingly important subgroup, especially
in the state of Florida. Cuban migration to the U.S. has experienced
six stages, three lulls and three peaks since it began just prior to
the Cuban Revolution of 1959 (Clark, 1982).
The Cuban immigrant experience in the U.S. has been unique in
several ways. The first to leave Cuba were the wealthy and well-
educated. At first many of this group were reluctant to establish
roots because they expected to go back to Cuba as soon as the govern
ment changed. When the anticipated change failed to materialize, these
Cubans established business relations in the U.S. which enabled them to
integrate into the economic and social systems of this country more
rapidly than other Hispanic groups. Not all Cubans have made the
successful transition to Cuban-Americans, however. They have ex
perienced underemployment and unemployment. Some have preferred to
remain in ethnic enclaves (Portes, 1969; Portes et al., 1980) rather
than enter mainstream competition. These enclaves are seen as aiding
the immigrants in adapting to U.S. culture (Rogg & Cooney, 1980) by
providing a place of transition between the two cultures.
There are still problems with acculturation. The older females are
seen as the slowest in accepting the cultural patterns of the U.S.,
while young males are seen as the group that acculturates the most
rapidly (Szapocznik, 1979). These differences have brought about in
evitable generational conflict. Acquisition of English skills has been
difficult for some adults. It is related to the downward occupational
mobility experienced by Cuban-Americans (Diaz, 1981). The Dade County
School System (1981) reports Cuban-American students are achieving at