Image courtesy of Latina Moms.
Every day, we see debates online about how you should parent your children.
Experts, mom influencers, and family members provide unsolicited advice on the best parenting style.
It can quickly become overwhelming, especially since it can become difficult to distinguish between fact and opinion. You can see this often happen in Latino families as well, with all the metidas/os offering suggestions you do not care for.
These suggestions are passed on from person to person, with each individual adding their input and ideas.
As a result, many myths have developed surrounding parenting in Latino culture. Here are some common myths you may or may not have known.
‘All Moms Stay At Home’
In Latino culture, men are often considered the center of the household. Fueled by gender roles passed down for generations, men are considered the breadwinners, and women stay home to take care of the children. They are in charge of all household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, and being the “preferred parent” for their children.
However, in present society, it is all the contrary. Many Latina moms now work full-time to provide stable income to the household.
And what about single moms who are left to raise their children on their own? The myth of Latina moms staying home all day making caldo is unfitting for these new family dynamics.
Instead of focusing only on housework, they know that they need to help provide financial security at home for their benefit and their children.
‘Education Is Not Important’
A study showed that a common myth in Latino culture is that parents do not value education. This stems from the fact that many parents could not finish school due to a lack of opportunity and poverty in their homeland.
As a result, Latinos would have to go out into the workforce when they were very young to help their family afford basic necessities such as food and clothing.
The fact that some Latino parents could not pursue an education does not mean they do not see the value in education.
In fact, they are extremely strict when it comes to grades and extracurricular activities, as they have expressed “concern for their children’s academic achievement.”
‘All Latino Parents Are Loud’
Time and time again, you are exposed to the stereotype of the loud Latino family, whether on TV shows or on social media. Latino parents are considered to be loud as an extension of their deep-rooted emotions and livelihood.
With characters such as Sofia Vergara’s ‘Gloria’ on Modern Family, the media has fueled these myths and stereotypes of the loud and vivacious Latino parents. However, this can vary from family to family and how they choose to express themselves amongst each other.
Remember, being loud, quiet, or closed off is a personality trait, not a cultural characteristic.
Now that we have debunked some of these myths, what are some that you have heard in your daily lives?