Is The Term 'Latinx' Inclusive Or Imposed?

"For younger Latinos like myself, country-specific identifiers reflect our desire for individuality within the larger framework of Latinidad," says writer Victoria Leandra.

A recent Pew Research Center report found that almost half of U.S. Latino adults say they’ve heard of the term “Latinx,” yet very few — 4% — have used it to identify themselves. And since what we call ourselves has been a topic of heated debate for the past few years, I thought it’d be worth digging into the research to get a temp check. What I found was revealing — yet very much in line with my own experiences.

Though “Latinx” was intended as an inclusive, gender-neutral alternative to “Latino” and “Hispanic,” many Latinos, myself included, feel that the term is often imposed by people outside the community, making it seem like just another way to lump us all together. And parts of Pew’s research reflect this sentiment.

The widespread resistance to “Latinx” indicates a clear disconnect between awareness and adoption. Age is a factor, of course: Latinos ages 18-29 are more familiar with the term, with 60% having heard of it, compared with only 34% of those age 65 and older. Similarly, U.S.-born Latinos are twice as likely to be familiar with “Latinx” as Latino immigrants, at 62% versus 31%.

Language and formal education also play significant roles in awareness; the data shows that more predominantly English-speaking Latinos and Latinos with at least a bachelor’s degree are aware of the term. This reinforces the notion that the word is steeped in elitism .

The term’s usage remains low despite an increasing awareness. When asked whether “Latinx” should be used to describe the U.S. Hispanic or Latino population overall, 75% of survey respondents familiar with the term said that it should not. This opposition was widespread across various subgroups. Those who support the word however, tend to be younger adults and Democrats — which makes sense since, as problematic as it is, the term does indicate inclusivity.

Despite these differences, the overwhelming majority of U.S. Latinos reject the broader use of “Latinx,” with many feeling that it fails to resonate with their identities. A significant portion of respondents — 36% — even expressed a negative view of the term becoming more commonly used, Pew found, while only 12% saw this as a positive development.

I feel that deeply. My peers and I prefer to be identified based on our specific national heritage rather than a broad, pan-ethnic label that feels distant from our lived experiences.

This is a reality that is indicated in the Pew research, but far more evident in my life and community. For younger Latinos like myself, country-specific identifiers reflect our desire for individuality within the larger framework of Latinidad.

In a world that seems to increasingly value personal identity and cultural nuances, the idea of lumping diverse nationalities into a single label like “Latinx” feels restrictive and, frankly, another way to erase us. Just look at your favorite Latino creator on TikTok or Instagram; they typically place their country’s flag emoji in their bio rather than “Latino.” Our heritage is our pride.

This apparent shift away from pan-ethnic labels and toward more personalized identifiers mirrors broader trends in identity politics and cultural representation. Thirty years ago, it might have been more common to group people from Latin American countries under a shared label like “Hispanic” or “Latino,” especially in a political context. But today, younger generations want to carve out space for their unique identities, moving away from the one-size-fits-all approach. For example, Colombians, Dominicans, Brazilians and Chileans all have distinct cultures, histories and traditions that deserve (individual) recognition and respect.

As younger generations continue to push for more space to express their individuality, the use of country-specific labels will likely increase, creating a more nuanced understanding of what it means to be Latino in the United States. And the flag emoji in social media bios? They’re just one small but powerful sign of this evolving identity.