Mexico: Beyond Stereotypes and Demographics

The Journey of Mexico

MEXICO! If you’re anything like me, the first things you think about when you hear Mexico are tacos, sombreros, Chihuahuas, and piñatas. Well truth is you’re right to think about that, but there is still so much more to learn about the lovely country, traditions, culture, and people. Mexico is the country at the south end of North America, right below the United States, and directly above Central America. Mexico was founded on September 27, 1821. Its capital is Mexico City. According to the 2013 World Bank Census the population of Mexico is about 122 million people. That’s roughly 1/3 (one third) the population of the United States. Mexico is a fast growing country. The population in 1960 was only about 39 million.

She then told us all about her youth. I learned one important thing that although some parts of Mexico do follow the stereotypes that many Americans have put on their culture, there are places that don’t. We learned that how you’re raised just depends on how fortunate your family is and where they live. Mexico has huge cities, some which are huge tourist destinations, which have prestigious schools, with great nursing, architectural, business, and engineering programs. Sadly that was not the course life had chosen for her. She said she went to a small community school, which unlike here in America, was not free and had to be paid for. Most of the people in her town only made it up to the 6th or 7th grade, because their parents could no longer afford to pay for their education or they had to work to help pay bills at the house. Her parents were a bit more fortunate and managed to pay for her to graduate from “la prepa” (a school to prepare her for the university basically like our high schools here in the U.S). She said school down there was a privilege, and wasn’t taken for granted like many people do here in the

Religion and tradition intertwine, especially in the smaller towns. 83% of the population of Mexico is Roman Catholic. The Mexican tradition is a tradition of celebrations. Whether it’s the all so famous Quinceañera, a wedding, Navidad (Christmas), or Pascua (Easter) a church service is traditional with any big celebration. When it’s a holiday the whole town normally comes together to celebrate, and they each pitch in and do their own little part. They have huge parades with dancing, piñatas, music, food, and lots of fun. I was very intrigued that on Christmas, they had huge parties, but didn’t get any presents. They got their presents on El Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day). Its said that on January 6th, the three kings arrived to present their gifts to baby Jesus, so on this day, children receive three gifts. I also learned that some piñatas are filled with fruits and nuts, instead of