LRGVArchives: Family Life

Family Life

Mexican Americans in South Texas share a similar culture with their neighbors across the Rio Grande. Both generally belong to a nuclear family. Still, extended family structure is common. Terminology is important in understanding the concept of the Mexican American family. Immediate family terminology is similar to most other cultures-Mama, Papa, hermano (brother), hermana (sister), but changes when other members are concerned. Primos hermanos/as, first cousins, are as close as brothers or sisters. Tias and tios (aunts and uncles) also hold special kinship. Ritual relationships are also extend to non-family through compadrazgo, a religious bond that adds members to the family. Compadres become family by being padrinos/madrinas (God-Parents) to a child as compadres de pila (baptismal God-parents) or serving as sponsors in a wedding, quinceanera, first communion, or other sacramental related ritual.

Family Structure

Quinceañeras

The Urbaniation of the U.S.-Mexico Border Region