Within their first year of marriage, a couple would be expecting a baby. If this does not occur, all the relatives and friends begin to think that perhaps the newlyweds are unable to conceive. The Latin American families tend to be large families. Traditionally in our culture, manliness and virility has determined the father to be the provider and protector of the family. He would have the last word on any decision. Of course, any clever member of the family using some imagination might be able to persuade his decisions. The father works each day to provide his family’s livelihood. Latin American mothers generally stay at home and spend a lot of time with their little ones. The majority breast-feeds their babies and it is accepted in our society when a mother discretely nurses her baby at a gathering. The Latin American mothers tend to overprotect their children. She is always close to her children, praising, encouraging, helping on everything they need. We feel responsible for the well being of our children for as long as we live. We know that time passes too fast and soon they will be gone to form their own families. Therefore we try to spend as much time with them as possible: raising, educating and preparing them for life. Perhaps we are involved in our offspring's lives more than in any other culture. However, we discipline them as well. We are not afraid of correcting any bad behavior. In our culture bachelor’s apartments are non-existing. The children live with their families in their parent’s home until they marry. And of course as long as they live there, they must obey the rules without regard to their age. After the children get married, they still tend to establish their homes close to their parent’s house. The family unity is very important to us. The members are of a close-knit and loyal to their families. We are not concerned with our economic limitations, neither are we interested in accumulating many material possessions, we are happy as long as our loved ones are nearby. It is not unusual to see various generations living under the same roof. The grandparents will be home to welcome the children from school and help to care for the infants while the parents are out. When the elders become incapacitated or disabled, the family cares for them at home for as long as necessary. In the Latin American countries, nursing homes are only intended for those seniors that never had children or whose family members are departed. All families plan their weekends to take advantage of being off work. All relatives and friends constantly visit each other and find excuses and occasions to be together having a good time.
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