Differences between Mexican culture and Puerto Rican culture

Differences in Mexican and Puerto Rican Cultures

           

Latin cultures are all around the world. They share many similarities and also many differences. The novel, The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is about a young Chicana girl named Esperanza growing up in a neighborhood in Chicago that is mostly populated by Puerto Ricans. One might think that these two cultures are one in the same and are not any different. It is important that people learn the differences between these two cultures because they could learn how to behave when they are faced with them.

Celebration of Mexican Independence Day

            The Mexican culture has their own set of traditions and values. One tradition of the Mexican culture is a holiday celebration called “The Feast of Our Lady Guadalupe” which is celebrated on December 12. This is a major Mexican holiday and they are celebrating the Virgin Mary’s appearance to an Indian man in the first years of Spainsh rule. The Virgin Mary is considered the patron saint of Mexico. Another tradition they have is to celebrate “The Day of the Dead” and it is celebrated over two days, November 1 and November 2. This national holiday combines Catholic and indigenous rituals to honor the dead. Another national holiday is Independence Day and it is celebrated on September 16 and it marks the Mexico’s separation from Spain. The national holiday Cinco de Mayo marks the Mexican military victory over the French but is more widely celebrated in the United States than Mexico. The Mexican culture has their own set of values as well. They put a high value on hierarchy and structure in business and family matters. Mexican families are usually large and they are very conscious of their responsibilities to immediate family and extended family. Making visitors feel comfortable is a huge part of Mexican culture and hosting parties at their houses is also a huge part of it as well. Most Mexican families are very traditional. The father is the authority figure and even though more women are working outside of the home, there is still a large number of them working at home. The father makes most of the family decisions and the mother bears most of the responsibility when it comes to raising the children and taking care of the home.

            Children in the Mexican culture are raised under a very traditional home. They are expected to be well-behaved, obedient and respectful to their elders. Boys are raised as “little men” and little girls are raised as “little women.” That prepares them for their future gender roles. Mexicans do an initiation ceremony for the girls when they become fifteen years old. That initiation ceremony is called a “Quinceanera.” This marks the transition from girl to a young virgin. This ceremony also indicates that she is available for marriage. Also, children usually remain at home longer than children in the United States.

            In the Mexican culture, their way of living is different. They place a high value on family and traditional values. Even though women make up a very large portion of the labor force, many still work within the home. In middle and upper income households, women usually have outside help with child care, cleaning and preparing meals. Women in poor and working class households usually work both inside and outside the home and most of them usually work more than one outside job.

            The Puerto Rican culture has their own set of traditions as well. During Christmas, Puerto Ricans celebrate parrandas, which is their version of carol singing. This happens when family and friends gather together at someone’s home. This usually takes place during the early morning hours so they can surprise the unsuspecting family members who are sleeping soundly. Puerto Ricans also celebrate what is considered the world’s longest Christmas. The festivities begin on November 23 and last until the end of January when the Fiestas de la Calle San Sabastian happens. Another tradition is called “Epiphany.” During this celebration, children visit their relatives to collect the gifts that were left by the Three Wise Men. Another tradition is when Puerto Ricans celebrate the “Night of Saint John.” This is when crowds of people gather at beaches around the island to jump into the sea backwards seven times. Puerto Ricans believe that this tradition gets rid of their bad luck.

            The Puerto Rican culture also has their own set of values. They consider family life a core cultural value. To the Puerto Rican culture, family is considered the most enduring and reliable support network. Most married Puerto Ricans prefer to live together but female virginity is not as important as it was in the past. If one chooses to be single it is acceptable but marriage is an important mark of adulthood. Having children is completely up to the couple but having children is more preferable than not having any at all.

Celebration of The Night of Saint John

            Children are raised differently in the Puerto Rican culture. Starting when they are infants, children are socialized toward family and communal participation. They are expected to learn by observation rather than instruction. They must learn respeto, which is the most valued trait in the Puerto Rican culture. Respeto is the belief that every person has an intrinsic dignity that must never be transgressed. They must learn to respect others by learning to respect themselves. All of the other valued qualities such as obedience, industriousness and self-assurance follow after they learn respeto.

            The Mexican culture and the Puerto Rican culture are very different and also similar. Each culture celebrates their country’s own national holidays. Both cultures view family as the main priority. Mexican families are way more traditional than Puerto Rican families are. Mexicans raise their children in a very traditional household whereas in Puerto Rican household, it is acceptable if a couple does not even have children. The Mexican culture puts an emphasis on the male being the authority figure of the household whereas in the Puerto Rican culture, there is no emphasis on the male being the authority figure. In the Mexican culture, they hold a special ceremony for when a girl turns fifteen where in the Puerto Rican culture there is no ceremony at all. The main difference between these two cultures is that the Mexican culture is extremely traditional whereas the Puerto Rican culture has traditions but are not as traditional as the Mexican culture.

            It is important to learn the difference between these two cultures so one does not say nor do anything to disrespect these two cultures since they are so vastly different. If one encounters a Mexican family and they know the values and traditions of their culture, then they could be respectful and fit right in. The significance of learning the difference between these the Mexican culture and the Puerto Rican culture is so one know how to behave and be respectful if they are faced with them.