The Influence Of Mexican Families In The United States

Right between the United States, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea lies the country of Mexico, known around the world for their bright and festive culture and rich heritage. It is one of the most visited countries in the world, and it has been the primary destination of choice among tourists and religious practitioners. From its food to their national holidays, Mexican influence is prominent and traditions often practiced outside of the country as well.
Four famous civilizations existed within this country—the Mayas, the Olmecs, and the Aztecs—before the Spanish Conquistadors conquered the land in the 1500s. Spain ruled Mexico for the next 300 years until the early 1800s, when the Mexicans first
revolted and gained their independence in 1821 (Infoplease, 2011). With a recorded history that dates back to 1400 BC and evidence of human inhabitance several decades before then, including a geographic location that places it in the heart of the Americas, the culture of this nation is filled with diversity from native and outside influences, which blended together creates the unique flavor that is Mexico. According to the CIA World Factbook, Mexico is geographically the 14th largest country in the world. With a population of over 120 million, it is ranked as the 12th most populated country. The official language of Mexico is Spanish, with over 90% of the population that speak Spanish alone and about 5% that can speak Spanish and another language. In terms of religion more than 80% of the country identifies as Roman Catholic, which was influenced by the Spanish ruling that lasted 300 years, and plays a huge role in their society and traditions. (Central Intelligence Agency, 2016) One of the most important values of the Mexican culture is their practice of religion. The vast majority of the nation identifies as Roman Catholic, a form of Christianity with emphasis of worship towards the Virgin Mary, as she is seen as their patron saint and a symbol of unification to the country. It was officially reported that she came unto two men over 400 years ago and performed miracles, such as making flowers bloom in winter and lining their wool with gold. To this day the miracle is celebrated annually with prayers and thousands of pilgrims going to the Basilica de Guadalupe, where the event is said to have occurred. While the bulk of the country is Roman Catholic, it is reported that more urbanized cities have less religious practice and strictness than those that live in provincial parts of the country, but even then it is rare to find a part of Mexico that will not celebrate when a holiday comes about. However, many people have adapted some distinct cultural traditions into the worship and celebration of this religion. For example, the holiday “Dia de los Muertos”, or “Day of the Dead”, is a general combination of the European tradition of praise and celebration of past lives with some Native Mexican customs like shrines adorned with flowers and candies. Another important value is family, which is seen as the core of their social structure.
In the United States, children are encouraged to the leave their family following high school or college, are closest with their immediate family, and practice their varying religious beliefs individually. Compared to Mexico, children are expected to stay home with their families until marriage, and even then the combination of the two families does not necessarily mean anyone would have to leave their family. There is much importance surrounding the roles of children and elderly in Mexican families as well. For instance, the elderly are not sent to nursing homes, but are welcomed into the family of their children to be cared for and nurtured. With this being said, it is common to have large families that include grandparents, cousins, and the nuclear family are all often together for celebrations, events, or a get together, and the extended family is seen as having equal importance to the main family. In almost any culture around the world, the family meal is an important time for gathering the family together for discussions. As opposed to an American family, who has the family dinner in the evening, a Mexican family has their main meal in the mid-afternoon with everyone in attendance. The entire family also participates in Sunday Mass on a regular basis. After Mass the family will likely go to a restaurant or will return home for a late breakfast and conversation, which will
usually take up the entire morning. In the standard Mexican home they are intensely traditional, with the father as the head of the family and the mother (while greatly revered) to be second to their husband. The man of the house is accountable for taking care of and providing for everyone in his family, including his parents and the extended family when they come to his home, which plays into their other values of masculinity and hierarchy. In Mexico, a man’s “machismo”, or masculinity, is vital to his image and in no circumstances can be tarnished. Men are expected to be dominant and independent, must provide for their families and assert themselves when they can. In some cases, this can be forgiven if hierarchy must be taken into consideration. Hierarchy is highly respected, where rank plays a role in almost every aspect of Mexican life: family, friends, or business alike. It is considered rude to break the chain of hierarchy. For example, a man can be somewhat submissive to his workplace superior and a son must be respectful to his male elders. When interacting with other men, however, it is common practice that they will try to “one-up” the other with verbal jabs and physical displays of superiority like strength and skills, and it is not uncommon or considered “harassment” if a man cat-calls after a woman. A woman, however, must be opposite to this and be submissive and dependent to their families and their husbands. They are expected to be homemakers and good and polite wives, taking care of babies and making food for the family, as well as participating in church activities and preparing for parties and celebrations. As of late, women have become more independent and respected in Mexican culture, although it is not specifically encouraged like in the United States with a sort of “women’s movement”. (Mexico Machismo, 2016) Traditions and holidays are also an important part of Mexico’s heritage. With Spanish and native influences, Mexican holidays are often a colorful, albeit lengthy, festival of life, history, tradition, and happiness. It is a common misconception that Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of Mexico’s Independence, but it is actually the day that marks a battle victory over the French in 1862; Mexico’s true Independence Day lies on September 16th and is celebrated with parades and cookouts, much like the United States. The majority of holidays in Mexico are religious based as well. Semana Santa, or “The Holy Week” is a Catholic observance holiday that celebrates the last living days of Jesus Crist, and is celebrated with a reenactment of the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. The actors in the crucifixion are often in need of months of physical and mental preparation and sometimes therapy afterwards, and often times children are not recommended to attend. Pascua, or Easter, is the week that follows Holy Week and celebrates the resurrection of Christ, the start of spring, and new beginnings. It is celebrated with children walking through the town streets with a Jesus actor, feasts, and attending Mass each night for a week. One of the most popular holidays is Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead”, and is celebrated right after Halloween. It is a day to welcome back the spirits of deceased loved ones to the mortal world for one day and is spent honoring their ancestors, fondly remembering passed ones, dancing, eating, and playing with small colorful skulls called sugar skulls. The Christmas season includes two months’ worth of events and festivities, lasting from December 12th all the way to February 2nd. The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe is one of the most celebrated holidays in the season, honoring the patron saint and her appearance in Mexico in the 1500s. Thousands of religious people will gather at the Basilica of Guadalupe to praise and worship her, and there are often parties and traditional costumes included as well. On December 16th through the 24th is the celebration of Los Posadas.
The word posadas translates to the word “inn” or “shelter”, and this holiday reenacts the search of shelter that Mary and Joseph took through Bethlehem. It begins with a small group of carolers and Mary and Joseph reenactors going from home to home, asking for shelter. The home that accepts them is chosen beforehand and is different each night, and once they are accepted, the group goes inside to have a feast and a party. December 23rd marks Christmas Eve, a town-wide celebration that include live animals, feasts, music, and a market with over 700 vendors. Children will attend churches at night and listen to the story of the birth of Jesus. The day after marks Christmas Day, and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. In the United States, this is an exciting day filled with toys and games and spending time with family. In Mexico, however, it is seen as a day to relax with family and friends and eat leftovers. Día de los Santos Reyes is celebrated the following year on January 6th, in which a series of nativity plays are put on in almost every church, reenacting the shepherds that follow the Star of Bethlehem and the visitation of the newborn Jesus. Major cities will often have gift and food stalls and outdoor dances and events. It is also customary to eat Rosca de Reyes, which is a wreath-shaped fruity bread baked with a figure of baby Jesus
inside. With such rich folklore, culture, traditions, rituals and religions, it is easy to see why Mexico’s influence is apparent worldwide. Many rituals and traditions which were celebrated in the past are still celebrated today. Many of the foods that the ancient Mayans and Aztecs ate hundreds of years ago are still eaten today. The folklore still teaches its morals and impacts the upbringing of children. Almost everything that is taught and celebrated encourages close relationships with family and having respect and honor, maintaining traditions and pride in faith and roles in society and creates a genuinely magnificent life experience with an emphasis on knowing what truly matters in life.