The United States is a melting pot of different cultures, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, traditions, and beliefs. All of these cultures and traditions have roots in their homeland, and many of them have evolved and changed since coming here to the United States. One such culture that has undergone a change since being here in the United States is the Mexican culture. I have some experience regarding the traditions of Mexican American family. My Mother is of Mexican descent and I grew up learning many of the beliefs and customs of Mexican American families. However my traditions and cultural identity are not one strictly of Mexican origin because my father is African American. And so while I am of Mexican descent, I am, because of the way that I look and the way society views me (as an African American woman), more strongly tied the cultures and traditions of African Americans. The Mexican American family is a unique one. It’s customs and practices are a blend of the culture of both countries, however it is distinctly being Mexican. This intricate cultural mix makes them distinctive and stands out along with many other ethnic groups living in the United States. There are various questions that I have compiled in an attempt to understand the cultural traditions of the Mexican American family. From the way they celebrate births and weddings, to the way they mourn death, and everything in between. Such questions include “Who baptized you? What did you wear on your wedding? Who is the head of your household? What type of food did you eat at your Quinceanera?” In addition to my using my own personal questions to unearth the mystery behind the Mexican American family cultural traditions, I also relied on the book Mexican American Family Tradition and Change by Norma Williams. In it she presents readers with an overall understanding of changing patterns in the extended and conjugal family relationships of the Mexican American family. With all of this I hope…
