A Comparison of Mexican and Mexican-American Families

An attempt was made to ascertain some of the major features of the Mexican family which have been retained by the Mexican-American family within the United States. Available literature which commented on the family systems was surveyed. Sufficient information for comparisons was found concerning male-female relationships, family organization, courtship and marriage, husband-wife relationships and parent-child relationships. Present literature largely presents only a generalized view of both families. Many variables such as religion, social class, language, education, physical and social mobility, acculturation, and assimilation are not appropriately considered in the case of the Mexican-American family.