Although I could not pinpoint the family structures and
traditions to Oaxaca, there is research on the topic on Mexico as a whole. It
should be noted that no one family is the same and there can be a multitude of
family dynamics. Traditionally, Mexican families hold a patriarchal,
heterosexual structure. The roles of a household are mother and father and are typically
gendered. The women usually perform the care taking, cooking, and cleaning.
Which are all considered in the private sphere meaning it is usually done in
the household and is a labor that is unpaid. While the men work for a wage in
the public sphere of working which is deemed productive labor. Both men and
women of a family may earn wages but typically the women is also the role of
the woman to care for the household which is whole other job in itself that goes
unnoticed.
The women predominantly care for the family. Specifically, the mother keeps the family running through cooking, cleaning, and overall providing care for the home. Daughters share responsibilities and are brought up with intention that they must learn from their mothers because they will be one someday. Fathers are seen as the head of the households and the one who makes the decisions for the family. The sons are the next in the authority male in the patriarchal line. There is a word machismo, macho in English, which describe the characteristics of how men should hold themselves. They must be tough, strong, and display masculinity. To compare Mexico’s family structure to the United States, the values are similar to the American household in the 1950s and 60s era. From recent research however, modern family structures are evolving and specifically the roles of mother and father are becoming less defined. Mothers and fathers may split duties in the household in a move towards gender equity.
Religion plays a large role in Mexico’s traditions being that 89% of people practice Catholicism, and another 6% practice Protestantism. There are many religious festivities that celebrate the numerous worshiped saints such as San Juan, San Jose, and Santa Maria. A popular tradition and rite of passage for a girl in Mexico is called a quinceanera. It is a celebration to signify when a girl turns fifteen and becomes a young woman. The young woman dresses up in special dress, there is music, dancing, and food. The celebration is also a special moment between her father and the young woman in which they share a dance. This marks the girl transforming into maturity as a young woman.
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Really nice overview of the traditional Mexican family structure! I liked how you tied in traditional gender roles and expectations as well, since these often go hand-in-hand with familial expectations.
ReplyDeleteI always though quinceaneras looked like fun (not unlike Sweet 16 celebrations in the U.S.)! Maybe one of you will have a host hermana getting ready to celebrate her own quinceanera!