Culture is defined as what a group of people have in common, including shared beliefs, meanings, and values, as well as shared ways of doing things.
I am Mexican and with that comes alot of traditions that can be found just south of our border. I was born in Mexico but immigrated to the US at age 3. As I look back at my childhood, I realize that my parents mixed traditions both native and foreign to their culture. In Mexico, in the month of December people celebrate "Las Posadas", they are neighbrohood parties/get togethers that are held 2 weeks before Christmas in preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. This is something my parents would engage in while living in Mexico and in their growing up, however I was not really exposed to this, except for the occasional Church sponsored Posadas that we attended. At Christmas time we always make tamales, posole and mole. I often questioned my mom as to why we had to make mole and she replied with "it's what you do, and needs to be made on days like this, we always had it on Christmas day growing up". In my culture people hold the belief that when a young child becomes suddenly ill, it's because someone "le echo el ojo", which translates to someone gave them the eye. It's seems more like an urban legend to me, but both my mother and grandmother swear by it. I love my culture for what it is and I love the fact that I am able to continue with the traditions/customs that my parents grew up with.
As a mother to two girls it is important to me that my girls become familiar with their culture, and embrace it. I am yet to take them to visit my birthplace and meet their extended family. My girls are being exposed to two cultures: Mexican (birth) and American (association). They know of the posadas, they are learning to speak Spanish, and yet they believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. We celebrate the Fourth of July by going to the beach, and celebrate Mexico's Independence Day by going to the street fair in Santa Ana.
