Just curious, why do all surveys ask if you are Hispanic?

[AdamH1978]

Not sure if I'm posting this question in the right board.  I noticed that all surveys ask for your race/ethnicity from a list and then seperately they ask if you are of Hispanic origin.  Is this some qualifier/disqualifier?  I really dislike having to divulge my race/ethnicity on surveys or job forms.  What in the world do they do with this information?  I am caucasion by the way and don't mind stating this when I feel it isn't being used against me. 

[deathx88]

i've also been curious about this too. why out of every other race do they ask if you're hispanic? i don't think it's a qualifier/disqualifier since i usually see a "prefer not to answer" selection. so i don't know.

[patapon555]

Because they're weird? o.o

[L4v4]

Yeeeeh. It's pretty strange, but maybe they're really interested in Hispanics?

[wjd22011]

i no even when they just asked you your race they still want to know lol   

[yosav]

i think alot of the questions they ask are stupid

[marciaenglish]

I have often wondered that myself..... I wonder if there is anyone out there with a legit answer?  Hey, does anyone even know where to ask?

[Phx0808]

It is the fastest growing demographic population in the U.S. Companies have realized that they do have buying power and can help make or break a product line. So they have found the need to listen to their opinions. They ask about gender, race and age also to ensure they are getting a good cross sample of the population. The opinion are of a elderly white women is going to be different then that of a 20-something hispanic male who has 3 kids.

[JediJohnnie]

I know.They seem to ask this three times a survey.

[yahoo301]

me too!!!!!

[raven1114]

Not sure if I'm posting this question in the right board.  I noticed that all surveys ask for your race/ethnicity from a list and then seperately they ask if you are of Hispanic origin.  Is this some qualifier/disqualifier?  I really dislike having to divulge my race/ethnicity on surveys or job forms.  What in the world do they do with this information?  I am caucasion by the way and don't mind stating this when I feel it isn't being used against me. 

i was wondering that as well because it seems like i get turned down for a lot of surveys that ask this question

[Tresbn00]

One of the answers centered around marketability, size of the demographic, and need to cater to the purchasing power of a larger category.  To me this sounds a bit like preferential treatment due to a person's race.  Government forms (loan applications) should ask what nationality a person is because they don't want to see any kind of discriminatory practises going on.  Unfortunately they ask, in a 2nd question, if a person is a.) of hispanic origin or b.) not of hispanic origin which I think crosses the line.

[mrsbluesmith]

This has always bothered me too.  I don't think it's right. 

[jessicak83]

It is the fastest growing demographic population in the U.S. Companies have realized that they do have buying power and can help make or break a product line. So they have found the need to listen to their opinions. They ask about gender, race and age also to ensure they are getting a good cross sample of the population. The opinion are of a elderly white women is going to be different then that of a 20-something hispanic male who has 3 kids.

^^this is the answer to your question. It may or may not be a qualifier, but they are very interested in finding people who fit that demographic for the reason Phx said.

[lannl]

Yes, i wonder that too. Why twice? You could contact them and ask i guess.