Unit 1: Families in Different Societies

Family (flexible definition)

A group connected by kinship (biological or legal), living together, and/or emotional bonds such as support, care, and belonging.

Kinship (parentesco)

A relationship between people based on family ties, either biological or legal (e.g., grandparents, in-laws, step-parents).

Cohabitation (convivencia)

Sharing a home, space, and responsibilities; includes household rules and daily routines.

Affective bonds (vínculos afectivos)

Emotional connections that involve affection, support, caregiving, and a sense of belonging.

Nuclear family (familia nuclear)

A household made up of parents/caregivers and their children; often linked to smaller housing and more independence from extended relatives.

Extended family (familia extendida)

A family structure including relatives such as grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins; often supports shared childcare/eldercare and shared costs.

Single-parent family (familia monoparental)

A household with one parent or primary caregiver raising children; may result from divorce, widowhood, personal choice, or migration.

Blended family (familia reconstituida/ensamblada)

A family formed after remarriage or new partnerships, often including a step-parent and step-siblings; requires adjusting roles and routines.

Adoptive family (familia adoptiva)

A family created through legal adoption; respectful language matters (avoid calling birth parents “real/true parents”).

Foster family (familia de acogida)

A family that cares for a child temporarily through a legal arrangement, providing stability and support.

Chosen family (familia elegida)

A support network (often friends) that functions like family through loyalty, care, and emotional support.

Familism (familismo)

A cultural value emphasizing family unity, loyalty, and prioritizing family needs over individual needs, including support “in good and bad times.”

Intergenerational support (apoyo intergeneracional)

Mutual help between generations, such as grandparents helping with childcare or families caring for older relatives.

Family roles (roles familiares)

Social expectations about who does what in a family—tasks, behavior, and authority—which affect identity and well-being.

Hierarchical family structure (autoridad jerárquica)

A model where adults (or a “head of household”) make decisions and children obey; can provide clarity but may reduce open communication.

Dialogic/negotiated parenting (modelo dialogante)

A model where children have a voice and rules are discussed; can build autonomy but needs clear limits to avoid confusion.

Boundaries and routines (límites y rutinas)

Consistent rules and schedules that organize family life (e.g., curfews, screen-time rules, chores), helping reduce conflict.

Division of household labor (división de tareas)

How chores and caregiving are distributed (by age, gender, or work schedules), revealing values and possible inequalities.

Mental load (carga mental)

The invisible planning/remembering work behind tasks (appointments, schedules, lists), not just the tasks themselves.

Machismo

A cultural idea linked to traditional male roles (provider, authority, toughness); can become harmful if tied to dominance and control.

Marianismo

A cultural idea linked to traditional female roles (self-sacrifice, purity, caregiving) and prioritizing family needs, sometimes tied to expectations of submissiveness.

Maltrato (abuse)

Harmful treatment in relationships, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; discussed as a serious social issue linked to power and control.

Role negotiation (negociación de roles)

The process of clarifying responsibilities, limits, and expectations—especially important in blended families and after major changes.

Family communication (comunicación familiar)

How relatives listen, express emotions, solve problems, and ask for help; strong communication supports mental health and trust.

Apoyar vs. soportar

In Spanish, apoyar means “to support/help,” while soportar usually means “to tolerate/put up with”; confusing them changes meaning.

Reconciliation (reconciliarse)

Repairing a relationship after conflict through apology, understanding, and agreement on changes going forward.

Stereotyping/generalization

Treating “Hispanic families” as one single model; strong analysis recognizes variation by region, class, urban/rural setting, migration, and generation.

Hedging language (matizadores)

Words/phrases that add nuance and avoid absolutes (e.g., “in many cases,” “it depends,” “often,” “in some families”).

Cultural products

Tangible or observable cultural items (food, music, clothing, photos, gifts, art) that can reflect family identity and values.

Cultural practices

Repeated actions or customs (eating together, visiting grandparents, celebrating birthdays, religious events) that shape family life.

Cultural perspectives

Underlying beliefs and values (unity, reciprocity, faith, identity) that explain why products and practices matter.

Sobremesa

A Spanish cultural practice of lingering and talking after a meal, emphasizing connection and conversation.

Quinceañera

A celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday in many Latin American communities; often marks transition, family unity, identity, and sometimes faith.

Catholicism (catolicismo)

A branch of Christianity historically influential in Spain; includes beliefs such as the Trinity and the authority of the Pope, though influence varies by family and era.

Spanish conquest of the Americas (conquista española)

Spain’s colonization of the Americas in the 1500s, associated with figures like Columbus and Cortés; brought major cultural and religious change, often through coercion.

Polygamy (poligamia)

Having more than one spouse; some colonial processes included restricting polygamy where it had existed.

Work–family balance (conciliación)

Managing job demands and family responsibilities; long or irregular hours can reduce shared time and increase stress and childcare needs.

Migration (migración)

Movement to another region/country for economic, educational, political, family, or safety reasons; can reshape roles and emotional bonds.

Remittances (remesas)

Money sent back home by migrants, which can improve opportunities but doesn’t erase emotional costs of separation.

Divorce (divorcio)

A legal end to a marriage that can change routines, finances, and emotional dynamics; may also reduce conflict if handled respectfully.

Co-parenting (coparentalidad)

Parents coordinating child-raising responsibilities after separation/divorce; respectful cooperation can support children’s stability.

Video calls (videollamadas)

A technology tool that helps families maintain closeness across distance (e.g., migrants connecting with children or grandparents).

Screen-time and privacy conflict

Family tension over phones, social media, and boundaries; technology can connect relatives but also replace face-to-face conversation.

Same-sex marriage in Spain (2005)

A legal change (since 2005) allowing marriage between people of the same sex in Spain, increasing visibility of diverse family structures.

Tú vs. usted

Spanish forms of address that signal closeness or respect; some families use usted with elders, while others prefer tú—there is no universal rule.

Generational gap (brecha generacional)

Differences in values and experiences between age groups, often shaped by changes in technology, economy, education, and social norms.

Cultural comparison method (describe–describe–analyze)

An AP strategy: describe a practice in your community, describe one in a Spanish-speaking community, then analyze why they’re similar/different (values, history, economics).

Criar

To raise children (not crear, “to create”); used for parenting and child-rearing.

Conocer vs. saber

Conocer means “to be familiar with/know a person or place,” while saber means “to know information/how to do something” (e.g., conozco a mi padrastro; sé la respuesta).