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.

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:

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! 👩🏽 👨🏻 🧒🏽 🧒🏻 🧒🏽 🧒🏼 🧒🏻 🧒🏼 🧒🏻 🧒🏽 🧒🏽 🧒🏼

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.

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.

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.

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