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An Article on wedding customs in Mexico
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The traditions and values that Mexican and American women have are different on many subjects including their rituals and superstitions and their relationships. There are many rituals and superstitions that pertain to women in Mexico and are practiced more often than not. One Mexican superstition restricts brides from wearing pearls on their wedding day, because of the belief that the pearls are the tears they will cry in their married life. Another requires young women to buy a stamp or statue of San Antonio, place it upside down, and light a candle in front of it and say a little prayer multiple times a week to "order" a boyfriend. The most well-known ritual in Mexican tradition is the ceremony called ‘quinceanera.’ It is a rite of passage
On one hand we can see that she pushes back and challenges her tradition on the other hand it is difficult to not see emotion expressed by herself when she is alone. One scene that does do this is when she is buying condoms for the first time but does not know what to purchase. This small but significant scene revels that although she is strong and ready she also needs guidance through her path of adulthood. She is able to ask a pharmacist for advice but not her own mother. This lack of connection to be open up to mothers is emphasized enough to create awareness that young Mexican American women need someone to talk to and it should preferably be their
The Latinos make up close to 16 percent of the total American population, thus becoming the 2nd largest ethnic community. Just like many other migrant populations, the Latinos seek to keep in touch with their Hispanic traditions and cultures. As Alvarez puts it, children born in the US are thus taught certain cultural events and values so as to maintain their lineage. The most common one as discussed by Alvarez in her book is the quinceañera. This refers to a girl’s celebration as she reaches fifteen. This day of celebration is supposed to mark a girl’s transition from being a child to an adult woman. Among other traditional symbols, these parties are huge and include choreographed dances and ball gowns.
Tradition has been said to mirror a way of life. Observation has concluded that participants in tradition “actively construct as well as reflect culture and community” (Sacks 275). For most people in the 21st century, tradition only reveals itself during special times or certain seasons. For others it is simply a way of life. The foodways of Mexicans and Native Americans are of particular interest in this study because of the food that grew from necessity and is maintained as sacred or reserved for only special occasions. The tamale is one such food. Significantly changed and altered throughout history it has remained a food of commonality and prestige at the same time. The tamale represents a nation that thrived as a people and has continued to live on through the traditions created hundreds of years ago by women who strive to better their community, their men, and the general way of life and welfare of their people. Native American people are the backdrop of southwestern history and as such we often look to them for answers regarding the past. The ‘past’ provides acts as vault filled with a wealth of information concerning a great number of cultural artifacts.
Puerto Rico is the neighbor to the south of Florida. There is a growing population of Puerto Ricans in the United States. There is also a large United States interest in Puerto Rico. It is important to understand the culture of our neighbor should the United States wish to continue a positive relationship as well as globalization. Understanding the superstitions and the proper business etiquette in Puerto Rico can serve as a glimpse into the culture of the island.
One of the most important customs in Latin America is a quinceañera. This tradition can date all the way back to 500 B.C. Not only that, but it’s been traced back to Aztec’s culture as well. It’s been said that the quinceañera tradition was supposedly adopted, when the Spanish took over America. Once the tradition was adopted, they put a Catholic Church in to replace the Aztec Temple. As we all know, this event is celebrated all across Latin America, the Caribbean, and is becoming increasingly more popular in the United States too. Like I said this Hispanic tradition has taken root into the United States, many Non...
The Lady of Guadalupe is also very popular among women, especially in Mexico. It is because of her own bravery do women now look up to her. However, she is not only honored by women, but all of the people in Mexico celebrate her on the 12th of December every year. The way in which the Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated is through costumes for children, along with blessings done within churches. That specific day in Mexico, thousands and thousands of people gather together to go to church and pray. For the public in Mexico, that day is considered a holiday, and is a day to ...
The Quinceañera, which turns a 15-year old Latino girl into a woman on her birthday, is important and should continue being practiced because it contains strong cultural values. These cultural values along with messages about faith and sexuality are some beneficial outcomes of the Quinceañera. In the end, these benefits make the event worth the cost. For example, in On La Quinceañera, Jan Risher says, “The Reyes family said the expense was worth it, even if they will only now begin saving for college” (2). This is an example of a person who was satisfied by these outcomes. While some people argue that the Quinceañera is too extravagant and expensive for a rite of passage, the fact is that the actual benefits last for a lifetime. For example, in On La Quinceañera, Risher says, “Sometimes a defining point, even a choreographed one, helps bring home the fact of one’s place in the world” (2). This is a great example of one of the long-lasting benefits of this rite o...
My readings suggest the Hispanic culture gender roles are very common and strict. Starting early in life children are taught to follow the strict guidelines of their gender (American Home Resources, 2010). There exists three common gender specific scripts in Hispanic culture; females can either be “Marianismo” or “Hembrismo”, and, males are classified as “Machismo”. The two female roles differ greatly; “Marianismo” defines behaviors of women as being obedient, dependent and caring for their children. The “Hembrismo” role stresses a female’s strength to persist through life’s difficulties; however, this role is not accepted widely in their culture. The “Machismo” role describes behaviors of men as being dominant and independent. This role views the man as being in charge of the family. (Peñalosa,
We tend to be like those around us that have the same values and beliefs. So we also tend to do the same things and are raised the same way. Marrying into an Anglo family, this family does not have the close family relations that my Mexican family has. Some Anglo families may, although not to the extent of Mexican households. If you have ever seen My Big Greek Fat Wedding, well this is how Mexican families tend to live their lives, always in each other’s business. I don’t see much of this in my husband’s family and for me, it was a huge adjustment. There almost seems to be a distance and lives are not shared. Where Mexican women think family is most important, Anglo women think family is important, but so is the status. Anglo women seek it all; they want family and career; although not an impossible task, it can take away from family time. “Since prestige, power, and self-esteem are not derived from achieved status to as great an extent among Mexicans, employment is more crucial to psychological well-being for Anglo women than form Mexican” (Ross et al. 1983). Inequality among races shows that Mexicans take immense pride in the household chores while Anglos take great pride in status. By tradition, Mexican women are praised and revered for their roles as homemakers. This view is a status of prestige that is very respected in the Hispanic community. “Ministering mothers are respected revered and recognized important figures despite their alleged low status in the family” (Mirande, 1977:752). On the other hand, “Anglo women are not in traditional homes where the wife receives prestige for her role in family, yet they are not in nontraditional homes where the husband and wife share the work (both outside and inside the home) equally” (Ross et al. 1983). As stated earlier Mexican women in the roles of homemakers in their home are viewed as pillars of strength and respect in their homes and
Marriage is a sacred rite in every culture. Although we all may be different, each and every person wants what’s best for their family. It is no different for Mexicans who are a proud people with a proud history. One form of pride in the Mexican culture is marriage. When Mexicans fall in love with one another and decide to take that great next step, it usually happens in their twenties. While many Mexicans get married in their twenties, the process to get there is usually goes to the normal process called dating.
Women in Mexico and the United States of America have played an important role structuring their society and elevating their status. Between 1846 and 1930, the stereotype and position of women within these countries differed vastly from one another. While various traditional roles of women remained the same, the manner in which they were viewed differed. In many ways, women in Mexico held a higher position than those in the United States during this time.
Folklore is a collection of stories passed down from generation to generation that includes Legends, Myths and Fairy tales. Legends are a semi-true story, which has been passed on from a person to another person that has an important meaning. Myths are a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon. A Fairytale is a children's story about magical which they have imaginary beings and lands. Hispanic Folklore is the traditional is mostly about beliefs, legends, customs and stories of the community of the hispanic culture. Hispanic or latino culture encompasses the traditions, language, religious beliefs and practices, legends, music and history.
Latina women have long been known for their passion, their sexuality, and their skills in housekeeping. It's a lucky man that finds himself married to a Latina: her fiery personality will never prove boring, and the house will always be spotless! Never mind that this isn't necessarily true, this is how they've been portrayed by television programs, radio, and word of mouth, so there must be something to it, right? Stereotypes often occur out of ignorance, be it for another group’s style, traditions, or history. If there's a way to group people, there's a stereotype pertaining to them, and stereotypes can provide a sharper cut than any blade. Three examples of this follow: the first cut targets a sole Latina, next, a slice into Irish ideals, and finally, a brutal stab into the heart of the Mexican perspective.
The animosity between Mexicans and Americans had an extensive history, based on various stereotypes and a lack of cultural understanding. Americans in the Southwest believed that Mexicans were, “lazy, shiftless, jealous, cowardly, bigoted, superstitious, backward, and immoral.” The Mexicans, however, thought Americans were “arrogant, overbearing, aggressive, conniving, rude, unreliable, and dishonest.” Tensions peaked during the 1846-1848 Mexican-American War, in which the United States rapidly and cruelly dispatched their Mexican foes, committing horrendous atrocities that General Winfield Scott claimed would “make Heaven weep and every American of Christian morals blush for his country.” To many Americans, the war affirmed their beliefs
I always recall this one time I visited Mexico on the 31st of October. I have always imagined there would be ghost plastered on windows, skeletons scattered on lawns, spiderwebs everywhere, and kids running around in costumes smelling like a candy store. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Instead I found streets covered in colorful paper flags with skeletons patterns cut into them, skulls painted with bright welcoming colors with blooming flowers painted on them, and I also saw beautiful skeletons. The difference between the skeletons in Mexico were that they were dressed so elegantly, they had a presence of importance as if their clothing had some symbolism behind it, and they looked welcoming and not fearful. The streets had bouquets of flowers all aligned on the floor, there were tables with huge plates of food on them, and pictures of people over the foods and tables. What I didn't know was that Mexico doesn’t celebrate Halloween. They celebrate a uniquely special tradition, known as El Dia De Los Muertos. An important tradition that I feel is underrated and is so beautiful that it has a life of its own.