Cultural Factors That Influence Mexican American Culture

Family comes first with the Mexican culture. Family success is the respect of the Mexican traditions. The family men are the protectors and providers and the women are taking care of the

Mexican-American culture has been characterized as a family-focused, community-oriented culture. Even second and third-generation Mexican-Americans place a higher value upon their relationships with others versus personal autonomy, in contrast with the dominant values of the United States. Living in extended family situations, or being influenced by extended family is much more common in Mexican culture than in other cultures. The core values of Mexican culture are said to be "familismo, personalismo, and respeto. Familismo involves placing the family ahead of individual interests, living near extended family, making collective decisions that involve one or more members of the family, and feeling responsible for and obligated to the family...Personalismo involves the building and valuing of interpersonal relationships...Respeto refers to the high regard for family and community members, especially for authority figures and the elderly" (Neff, Brabeck, Kearney 2006).

The Hispanic culture has different values, beliefs, and traditions. Family is highly value. Family is a close-knit group and the most important social group to gather in any events or special days. The Hispanic “family unit” includes not only parents and children but also grandparents and extended family. Individuals within the family have moral responsibilities to help other members of the family experiencing financial problems, unemployment, health conditions and any other life issues. They show the importance placed upon relationship within their family extending a hand in good times and bad. Respeto y dignidad (respect and dignity) are other important values of the Hispanic culture. Children’s are taught to avoid confrontations with parents and older persons, and to be obedient and respectful. The Hispanics believe that the father is head of the family and the mother is to take care of home. Naming children after grandparents and parents is fairly common. A well-known tradition is the celebration of a fifteen year old girl called Quincenera. Hispanics culture and traditions are based around celebrating and spending time with love ones.

The Mexican culture places a high value on family. They are close-knit and united. It is common for the extended family to reside with the family in the same home. The Mexican men role is to be the support system in the household. In the Mexican culture, they are called machismo, which confirms the dominance and authority in the family. Violence is a characteristic of the machismo’s culture. They are known to be respected and seniority over the women. The women are required to tend to the house chores and take care of the children. They are expected to follow all directives given by the husbands. The husband being the head of the household is a culture norm for Mexicans. The children are to be respectable and obedient and reside with their parents regardless of the age until they are married.

Family is a very important element in the Mexican society. The majority of the family units are large especially out of the big cities and with traditional roles per gender. The Mexican family homes are classified as nuclear, expanded and composite; the nuclear families encompass all those formed by the couple with or without children, or one of the parents with children and represents the 67.6% of the total Mexican family homes. This is the main institution that will cover the basic needs of their members (affective, food, economic, socialization) and within it certain socially expected patterns of behavior.

As an immigrant child that was brought here to the United States when I was a child, I definetly had culture shocks from both sides. Growing up, Ive had seen people telling Mexican immigrants “Go back go Mexico, where you belong”. As a child that was born in Mexico but that grew up in the United States, I felt like I did not know where I belong. At the moment, I experienced three cultures; Mexican, American, and Japanase Culture. When I was about fifeteen years old I had encounterd culture shocks from my mexican and american cultures. It allowed me to change my way of thinking, that has benefited me since. Also, the affects of culture shock has lead to a positive change in my culture attitude.

In Mexico, the family remains the most important social institution. Such, is considered to be the main support and protection system among all for Mexicans. Primary ties are structured through blood descent, which comes from the mother’s and father’s sides. Therefore, every person is a member of two family lines. In addition, the “Parentela” or extended family usually includes all the descendants from the grandparents. For this reason, it is normal for a person to have a numerous extended family. According to the CDC, Mexico has traditionally been home to the patriarchal family structure. The father usually works and provides for the family while mothers take care of the household. However, the number of

It was very interesting to read an essay that talks about the illegal hispanic population in the United States. I believe it was interesting because we do not see this often. I have seen how many people are afraid to talk about illegal immigrants because they think it will create many arguments and disagreements. I found some of the numbers surprising. I did not know that the Hispanic population has grown this much in the country. Chavez says “But among the illegal population, 47% of households consist of a mother, a father and their children” (455). The quote indicates that in the Hispanic culture, the two-parent household is still something important that remains alive and well. I believe that in the Hispanic culture family is a priority,

Among many Anglos, there is a racist assumption that those who are Mexican are lazy when there are cultural reasons for the way Latin-Americans choose to live. Those among the Mexican culture has a strong belief in a splendid destiny planned by God that hasn’t occurred based on the culture or groups of Mexican people’s sins; such as, the thieves and drunks (William, 1964, p. 15). This belief in God already having a plan for each individual among the earth has created a calm atmosphere toward planning for the future. Many Mexican Americans consider the act to plan frivolous because God has already planned their future, and they permit fate to control their decisions. Instead of planning for the future, the most important role is family responsibilities among the male and female presently. As stated in William’s article,” Gregorio said, ‘I owe everything to my family. Were it not for my parents’ love for each other, I would never have been born. They raised me and taught me all I know…When one has a family, one is never alone

The Mexican culture is very family centered. The extended family is just as important as the immediate family and provides stability within. The

In the Mexican culture Familism, network of extended and nuclear family who are connected for the good of the family; often influences the choices a mother may make, & many young mothers seek the advice of the elder women in the family during their childbearing years. This is similar to the Native Americans where Tribal & Family members are held of significant value, and are believed to be responsible for each other. Because family is held of significant importance, it is not uncommon, in either culture, for many relatives to come and stay with patient until discharge. This is especially true when a woman gives birth or if mother has a child who is admitted to the

The ethnic- Mexican experience has changed over the years as American has progressed through certain period of times, e.g., the modernity and transformation of the southwest in the late 19th and early 20th century, the labor demands and shifting of U.S. immigration policy in the 20th century, and the Chicano Civil Rights Movement. Through these events Mexican Americans have established and shaped their culture, in order, to negotiate these precarious social and historical circumstances. Throughout the ethnic Mexicans cultural history in the United States, conflict and contradiction has played a key role in shaping their modalities of life. Beginning in the late 20th century and early 21st century ethnic Mexicans have come under distress

When focusing in on communication within Hispanic culture, there are many things that easily go undetected. While explaining differences in communication with Hispanic families, Geri-Ann Galanti (2008) emphasizes the importance of familismo, which many people have never heard of. Familismo is the importance of immediate and extended families in all areas of life, especially communication. In the medical field, this means showing respect and including all family members in relevant conversations.

Being born into a small town in Texas where a heavy influence on Mexican culture applies to almost everyone. It makes me realized that food really plays a major part in identifying myself as a Mexican. Because the food, makes our culture unique. In addition, learning to make my very first ever batch of tamales made me realized that it was a memorable experience.

Tacos, chile, horchata, piñatas and cartels is what people think when they hear the word