Quinceanera Research Paper

Marked as a celebration of the transition from childhood to womanhood, quinceaneras have been a long-standing tradition among Latin American families. Though “quinceanera” literally means “fifteen year old girl,” the term has become more closely associated with the celebration itself, oftentimes by non-latinx people. Among Latin American families and culture, the celebration is often referred to as “fiesta de quince años” (fifteen year party) or simply a “quinces.” To avoid any confusion, I use “quinceanera” to refer to the celebration, rather than the individual, for the remainder of this paper. Historically, fifteen was seen as the age when Latina girls were ready for marriage, and the quinceanera celebrated that transition. While modern quinceaneras have drifted away from this initial intent, and now reflect more of a celebratory coming of age narrative, the marriage and wedding-related symbolism is still apparent.

As the year passed me by it gave me time to think and time to realize that it did cost money to throw such a festivity and that it’s not as important as many traditional Latinos see it. All I really needed when I turned fifteen was my family and most of all my mother who raised me to be a reasonable, smart, mature woman. What I learned from this experience was that I didn’t need a big party to know that I made the rite of passage to become a woman; all I needed was those who were close to me, responsibility and

Later that day, the celebration continued with a party at Eagles Banquet Hall. As the festivities started, I was so happy about the night to come. My court of honor was introduced as they led me into the celebration. We started out the night by performing a traditional Quinceanera march. It was a choreographed routine that we practiced for five months leading up to that day. My father came out with tears in his eyes and softly removed my ballerina slippers from my feet and replaced them with a pair of woman’s heels. With tears in his eyes, he grasped and hugged me so tight it was as if he didn’t want to let me go. My father and I started to dance the traditional father daughter dance. As the song was coming to the end, my father whispered in my ear, “ You’re a beautiful young woman, but you will always be my baby girl.” At that moment, tears filled my eyes and I realized how much love my father had for me. I will always remember that moment for the rest of my life.

All birthdays are special. Birthdays celebrate life and the passing of time. In a young Mexican girl life, there is no birthday more important then her quinceañera. The quinceañera is a celebration of a girl’s journey into womanhood. The story of my fifteenth birthday is contributed for a better understanding of how special it is to celebrate a girl’s transformation into a lady, and how it differs from any other birthday she celebrates.

Throughout history, most young girls have a Quinceanera which is a special occasion and traditional celebration of a young girl turning fifteen on her birthday and making a transition from child to adult. Reached maturity and eligibility for marriage, which has been custom in most countries. A Quinceanera is something that started many years ago when a Spanish conqueror brought the tradition to Mexico and other countries. Throughout most countries, parents don’t celebrate their daughter’s fifteenth birthday by having a Quinceanera; they celebrated daughter’s birthday differently from other countries. While in countries like Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central, and South America are the only ones who celebrate their daughter’s

The Hispanic culture values children’s turning of age just like the American culture does. In American culture, teenagers can buy cigarettes and lottery tickets at age eighteen. At age sixteen, most American teens (depending on the state) can get a permit and begin to learn to drive. In Hispanic culture, fifteen is the chosen age; they value the girl’s fifteenth birthday because that is the age that they believe the young girl changes and becomes an adult, a woman. When the girl celebrates her fifteenth birthday, they celebrate by having a big turning-of-age ceremony and reception which they call a Quinceñera. The Quinceñera is a big event, almost like a wedding for the young girl.

The conversion from childhood to womanhood is an extremely significant event in practically any culture. This event is known as a Quinceañera, also called fiesta de quince años, fiesta de quinceañera, quince años, quinceañero or commonly known as quince which is consisted of a celebration of a girl 's fifteenth birthday with cultural roots in Latin America but celebrated all over America. Nonetheless, Hispanics, recognize this occasion by doing the celebration of a Quinceañera. The Quinceañera tradition is believed to have initiated several years ago when the Spanish conquerors initiated the tradition in Mexico while others believe the tradition began with the Aztecs. During that ancestral home of the Aztec Indians, whose empire succeeded

In Spanish-speaking communities in the United States, girls do still have a Quinceanera, but it has to be altered in the way that it is done. There are many people that do not speak Spanish in the U.S., so there’s has to be a way to coordinate these people into the celebration, since mostly even have the English Language in common. Invitations for Quinceanera are made both in Spanish and In English. The invitations that are in English might read “Sweet 15” instead of a Quinceanera. Traditions that are done during the ceremony might not be done, they might be done before the ceremony. A young girl may chose to have a “Sweet 16” instead of the traditional Quinceanera. A “Sweet 16” is the coming of age party in the United

In Latin America it is a custom for families to celebrate a daughters fifth-tenth birthday. This is a tradition to announce to the community that their daughter is ready to be part of the community as a woman. By this time, young girls know how to clean and cook, but most of all have the capability to bear children. The celebration is also a reminder that they soon will one day be married. Or the tradition can have a new meaning to a young girl’s life. Instead of motherhood they build their confidence and see themselves with potential to do what they dream of. Once Upon a Quinceañera by Julia Alvarez is ineffective because the quinceañera has and will always be associated to the grooming and preparation of young women into motherhood: As long

There is no religious component to a Sweet 16. In some states, the Sweet 16 marks the day when the young girl can drive. However, this is not always the case in every state. Nonetheless, the Quinceañera party does not focus on the driving aspect. At a Sweet 16, the guest of honor might be given the keys to her first car. On the contrary, at a Quinceañera, the quince is usually given her first pair of high heels. Traditionally, most people choose to have a Quinceañera party. However, it is becoming more common for the young girl to skip the extravagant Sweet 16 party because she would rather get a car or go on an expensive vacation. I can understand why someone wouldn’t want a big celebration, because both types of parties can be very costly. A Sweet 16 birthday party for a teenager can cost from $300-$25,000 depending on how big the party is. The cost of a Quinceañera can cost the equivalent to a wedding. However, it is very stressful for Latin American families to pay for their child’s party so it is necessary to start saving from the moment their child is born. Many parents look to close family members to help contribute to the cost of the party. For example, in Cuba the budget of the party is very low, varying from $300 to $400. Due to Fidel Castro’s reign, parents’ salaries can be as low as $20 a month making it very difficult to afford an expensive

I have found the sweet sixteen party is quite similar to a Quinceañero birthday party. Probably the most distinct similarities are that they are both an event that celebrates a girl’s transition from childhood to womanhood. They are both an important part of the culture, as well as are quite elaborate and usually expensive, depending on the type of party the parents want. They celebrate when a girl becomes a woman, which is a major stage in life because adults have more privileges and responsibilities. This is a big part of their culture because it is celebrated by almost all Spanish girls when they become women. Most of the time, these parties are elaborate, as they only happen to a person once in their entire

Many people have experienced a Rite of Passage at least once in their lives without recognizing it. Experiencing a Rite of Passage is necessary to becoming an adult. A Rite of Passage can be both formal and informal, they both indicate a shift from one state to another. Formal Rites of Passages are weddings, Quinceañeras, and Bar Mitzvah, whereas informal Rites of Passages are a person’s first kiss, first job, and or the loss of a person 's virginity. Julia Alvarez focuses on the process and idea of Quinceañeras in her article "Selections from Once Upon A Quinceañera." Also included in this article is Jaider Sánchez that witnessed the sexual part of the ritual and Isabella Martinez Wall who talks about the benefits of the ritual on her life.Although many people believe that experiencing a Rites of Passage is not directly related to one 's self identity, these rituals both informal and formal do in fact affect one 's personal identity.

I was five years old, and it was the beginning of summer. I remember this clearly because it was right after my first year of kindergarten, and the feeling of freedom once again came back to me. I woke up to the sound of my mom telling me to wake up. I asked her why, and she told me that we were going to my cousin’s birthday party. My cousin was two years younger than me, but I remember that I was close to him as I spent a lot of time with him. I quickly got up, brushed my teeth, and went downstairs to eat breakfast. I remember that I had cereal, as I hesitated to eat anything else in the morning. Then, I rushed to my room where my mom picked out an outfit for me, and got dressed in it. I was completely ready to go, but my parents were still getting ready. At that age, I got bored really quickly and I was wondering what I could do to get away from that boredom.

“Oh Ana, it's okay, it's going to be okay.” My mom tries to comfort me, it makes nothing better at all. Tonight is going to be one of the worst but best days of my life. My father always reminds me, ‘Ana, this is a celebration, not a sad day.’ Those words ring through my head as I continue to cry. I finish crying and I walk over to my aunt. I start helping her and my cousin Ivori put up decorations.

Once school was long over and it was nearly midnight, I heard the ring of a doorbell. Contrasted to the silence of the house, it sounded boisterous. My mother opened the door to find my cousins, Eleanor and Piper, along with their parents. Both of them and myself were around the same age, Elenor being the same age as me (12) and Piper being a year older.