1.2 Family Customs and Values

As different societies progressed and intertwined, some customs and values became prominent in Hispanic culture. Again, let's look at Mexico as an example of the different influences that have shaped the contemporary family customs and values.

Image from Wikimedia.

Pre-Columbian Influences

Family was a vital component to organizing local tribes of the Aztec, Mayas, Olmecs, and Zapotecs. It was also important to keeping order in daily life.

The indigenous family structures tended to be:

Indigenous Family Structures

Table from LovetoKnow.com.

Catholicism and The Spanish Conquest

While Spain was colonizing other places, the Spanish intermixed with the indigenous populations. This mixing, along with the indoctrination of Catholicism from Spanish missionaries, created an established set of customs and values for the next 500 years. There was a restriction on polygamy (having more than one spouse), which had been previously practiced. Catholic religious practices like going to mass and baptism were commonplace. Also, a lack of contraception (per Catholic doctrine) caused extended families to be as large as 10 or 12 children! 👩🏽 👨🏻 🧒🏽 🧒🏻 🧒🏽 🧒🏼 🧒🏻 🧒🏼 🧒🏻 🧒🏽 🧒🏽 🧒🏼

Traditional Roles

Due to the patriarchal structure, defined roles were established for each family member.

Familismo—Sense of dedication, commitment, and sacrifice for the nuclear and extended family. So, for example, it is common to see all extended family members at all functions like birthday parties.

• 👨🏾 Father's Role—Guided by machismo, fathers were strong, authoritarian, and took charge of decisions and making money for the family.- Machismo—Strong or aggressive masculine pride that in some cases results in abuse.
• 👩🏽 Mother's Role—Guided by marianismo, mothers were caring, dutiful, and cared for the children and the home.- Marianismo—Strong sense of feminine nurturance and self-sacrifice. This stems in name and concept from the Virgin Mary.

Modern Changes

Many aspects of family customs and values changed with modernization. Urbanization is one such instance. With less space for extended families to live together, families separated. It became common for each nuclear family to be in its own house. Women's empowerment in the last few decades has altered the family roles and sizes. Increased education has allowed women to join the workforce 👩🏼‍🏭 and attend university 🏫 Mothers now birth fewer children and their role in the family has become more equal to the father. Even with all of these modern changes, it is still common to see extended families gathering together every Sunday to share a meal and quality time together.

Greetings

Greeting people you know is an important custom to understand because different regions follow different social rules.

In Mexico and Central America, handshakes 🤝 and hugs 🤗 are an important component of family gatherings. Each person is socially obligated to personally greet each individual party attendee with a 🤝 or a 🤗 before moving into deeper conversation with any particular attendee.

In Spain, to contrast, 🤝 are reserved for very formal business meetings or with international attendees out of respect and acknowledgment that many other countries do not get as up close and personal in greetings. Outside of the boardroom, kissing 😙 the air right next to each cheek is the standard greeting among extended family members, acquaintances, and friends. Close family will give the standard two 😙 and then hug a 🤗 warmly.

💡 Remember: "Hugs" are abrazos and a "handshake" is a apretón de manos. 

No temas a dar besitos a la mejilla en la gente en Latino América! Un abrazo y un besito son importantes cuando conoces a alguién. 

Image from Wikimedia.

Vamos Practicar! - Task Model 

Conversación 

Clica en este link sobre exploración de carreras para jóvenes en Perú y seleciona "¿Como va el empleo?" 

Mira este chart: 

Después de analizarlo, intenta responder las siguientes preguntas: 

• What message is communicated to young people in Peru who view each chart?/¿Cuál mensaje se comunica a los jóvenes en Perú que ven cada gráfico? Possible answer: La mensaje principal que se comunica los gráficos es sobre como la educación superior contribuye para mejores oportunidades de trabajo. El gráfico que se muestra arriba demuestra que cuanto más los jóvenes invierten en educación más oportunidades de empleo formal tendrán. 

• State two facts that you learned from the chart./ Indique dos hechos que apredíste del gráfico. Possible answer: Los jóvenes que siguen hasta la educacion superior universitaria tienen más oportunidades de empleo. Además, ellos también tienen más oportunidad de se afiliar al sistema de penciones. 

• How do the layout and use of colors contribute to the message of the chart?/ ¿Como contribuyen el diseño y el uso de colores al mensaje del gráfico? Possible answer: El diseño demuenstra de manera simples como los jóvenes se benefician de seguir estudiando. El diseño demuestra con colores sobresalientes y el estilo gradual del gráfico el tamaño del aumento de oportunidades. 

During the exam, don't forget to identify and use the key words of the graph. In addition, elaborate and come up with your own deep analysis of the data being provided! Define and main aspects and work on deepening your analysis. 

Holidays 🎉 🎊

Most major holidays celebrated in the Spanish-speaking world have a connection to Catholic 🙏✝️ traditions.

Los días festivos