dominican republic

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“Family is the most important thing in the world.” ~ Princess Diana. The Dominican Republic is a diverse country in the Caribbean. It shares many of the same values and norms as the United States. In order to fully understand Dominican Republic families it is important to look at their structure, traditions, and values. The Structure of families is sometimes based on gender. Gender roles in the Dominican Republic are similar to the roles that use to be the norm in America and that is still present in some households. The men are treated as superiors while women are seen as house wives. Women are the primary caregiver, either through divorce or widowhood or if the husband is working far away from home (“Roles of Women”). Also women are expected to be dedicated in being a mother and a daughter and by their late twenties to be married (“Dominican Republic Traditions and Etiquette”). It is interesting that they are expected to be married at a certain age. The men take on the role that is traditional which is being the one who enforces rules. The role of the men and women is also based on the social class they are in. The middle and upper class families are called patriarchal and the father is the norm (“Dominican Family Structure”). In the lower classes of the Dominican Republic the women are taking on the role of the men, which is to support the family. In the lower class families the structure is sometimes matriarchal because the father does not live in the house (“Dominican Family Structure”). It is interesting that depending on the social class it determines the structure of the household. Also the family structure can also depend on the oldest married couple or within their extended family the oldest male would holds authority.... ... middle of paper ... ... as an example in the United States because they show that family is the primary factor in their lives. Works Cited "Culture Report." www.goaboard.net. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar 2014. "Dominicans (Dominican Republic)." Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life. Ed. Timothy L. Gall and Jeneen Hobby. 2nd ed. Vol. 2: Americas. Detroit: Gale, 2009. 195-199. Student Resources in Context. Web. 17 Mar. 2014. "Dominican Migration to the U.S. and the Dominican Family Structure." www.Maccaulay .cuny.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar 2014. Foley, Eric. Cultures of the World Dominican Republic. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 1995. Print. Lopez, Jose Javier. "Dominican Republic: Traditions & Etiquette." World Geography: Understanding a Changing World. ABC-CLIO, 2000. Web. 17 Mar. 2014. Torres, John A. The Dominican Republic. Delaware: Mitchell Lane, 2011. Print.

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