Stereotypes and Myths about the Mexican Family

Stereotypes and Myths about the Mexican Family
The Mexican family has been subject to popular stereotypes, including an extreme machismo and a submissive and powerless woman. This vision is real in some families but is not the norm. In many cases, the moral and psychological strength of women withstands the initial pledge for power of their mates, and women end up with control and authority in all family matters. In a growing number of families, the men do the housework, and the women earn part of the family income (Leñero 1982).
Other stereotypes center on the role of religion in the family, giving it a sacred and ideal tone. This is reflected in proverbs such as, "what God has united cannot be separated by man," or "you must have as many children as God sends you." These statements have affected the behavior of Mexicans for ages, but are more strongly held in the rural areas, towns, and small cities. However, in spite of the official religious character of the Mexican family, there is a large disparity between religious fervor and the practice of religious values in everyday life. Many do not practice the religion they profess (Bermúdez 1955; Lafarga 1975).
Along with stereotypes there are myths about the Mexican family. These tend to be deeply rooted in the collective memory and are expressed in the form of feelings of cognitive structures that guide the interpretation of events or traditions that confirm group identity. Thus, myths are the vehicles for the creation of beliefs and behavioral patterns of family life. Their origin is in the culture and they influence the values, feelings, and perception of how one should conduct oneself in everyday family activities. Among the most popular and widespread myth systems are:
Families in the past were more stable and harmonious.
The only place to satisfy the vital needs of love and protection is the family.
Family agreement and consensus is natural.
Virginity should be kept until marriage.
He who is married wants a house.
Until death do us part.
Fidelity exists in marriage.
Men always say the last word. (Salles and Tuirán 1997)

AT LEAST 12 PEOPLE DIED

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - At least 12 people died and 18 were injured on Friday when hundreds of young party-goers rushed to get out of a crowded nightclub in the Mexican capital during a raid on under-age drinkers, police said.
Nine youths, including several minors, and three police officers were asphyxiated in a scramble to leave the News Divine disco after a tip-off from its owner that police were in the building, police and the city's top prosecutor said.
"More than 1,000 people left in a stampede ... for the emergency exit. The exit is very small ... and that's why people were asphyxiated," Mexico City police chief Joel Ortega told the Televisa network.
The emergency exit was partly blocked by boxes, Ortega said.

Two other youths, aged 15 and 18, died in hospital, Mexico City Attorney General Rodolfo Felix told a news conference.
Mexican media photographs showed three bodies lying in the street outside the entrance to the nightclub, their shirts and shoes torn off, while dozens of other shoes were scattered about the nearby sidewalk.
Police arrested more than 30 youths and the nightclub's owner.
Ortega said the crackdown on the party to celebrate the end of the school year was not a surprise raid and the owner had been told about the operation.
Selling alcohol to people under 18 is illegal in Mexico and nightclubs are only allowed to operate within certain time limits. However, those laws are largely ignored by bar and nightclub owners.