#AP Spanish Language: Family, Customs, and Traditions - Your Ultimate Guide 🚀

Hey! Let's get you totally prepped for the AP Spanish Language exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the big day. We'll break down everything you need to know about family, customs, and traditions in the Hispanic world, making it super easy to remember and apply. Let's do this! 💪

#Table of Contents

1. Pre-Columbian Influences
2. Catholicism and The Spanish Conquest
3. Traditional Roles
4. Modern Changes
5. Greetings
6. Vamos a Practicar! - Task Model
7. Holidays
8. Final Exam Focus
9. Practice Questions

#Pre-Columbian Influences 🗿

Before the Spanish arrived, indigenous societies like the Aztecs, Mayas, Olmecs, and Zapotecs had strong family structures that were essential for maintaining order and daily life. Family wasn't just about who you were related to; it was the backbone of society!

#Indigenous Family Structures

#Catholicism and The Spanish Conquest 🇪🇸⛪️

The Spanish colonization brought significant changes. The mixing of Spanish and indigenous cultures, along with the introduction of Catholicism, shaped family customs for centuries. Here's the scoop:

• No More Polygamy: The Catholic Church banned having multiple spouses, which was previously practiced.
• Catholic Practices: Mass and baptism became common.
• Big Families: Lack of contraception (due to Catholic doctrine) led to large families, often with 10-12 kids! 👩🏽 👨🏻 🧒🏽 🧒🏻 🧒🏽 🧒🏼 🧒🏻 🧒🏼 🧒🏻 🧒🏽 🧒🏽 🧒🏼

#Traditional Roles 🎭

Due to the patriarchal structure, specific roles were established for family members:

Familismo - A strong sense of dedication, commitment, and sacrifice for both nuclear and extended family. Think big family gatherings for every occasion!

• 👨🏾 Father's Role: Guided by machismo, fathers were seen as strong, authoritarian, and responsible for decisions and finances.
  • Machismo: Strong, aggressive masculine pride, sometimes leading to abuse.

* 👩🏽 **Mother's Role:** Guided by *marianismo*, mothers were caring, dutiful, and focused on childcare and the home.

#Modern Changes 🌍

Modernization has brought changes to family customs and values:

• Urbanization: Less space in cities led to the separation of extended families, with nuclear families living independently.
• Women's Empowerment: Increased education and workforce participation have changed family roles and sizes. 👩🏼‍🏭 🏫
• Smaller Families: Women are having fewer children, and their roles are becoming more equal to men.
• Family Time: Despite these changes, extended families still often gather on Sundays for meals and quality time.

#Greetings 👋

How you greet people is super important, and it varies by region:

• Mexico and Central America: Handshakes 🤝 and hugs 🤗 are essential at family gatherings. You greet everyone personally before diving into deeper conversations.
• Spain: Handshakes 🤝 are for formal business or international meetings. Otherwise, kissing 😙 the air next to each cheek is the norm among family and friends. Close family gets two 😙 and a warm hug 🤗.

💡 Remember: "Hugs" are abrazos and a "handshake" is an apretón de manos. Don't be afraid to give besitos on the cheek in Latin America! A hug and a kiss are important when meeting someone.

#Vamos a Practicar! - Task Model 🗣️

Let's analyze this chart about career exploration for young people in Peru. Click this link and select "¿Como va el empleo?"

Here's the chart:

Now, let's tackle some questions:

• What message is communicated to young people in Peru who view each chart? Possible answer: The main message is about how higher education contributes to better job opportunities. The chart shows that the more young people invest in education, the more formal employment opportunities they'll have.
• State two facts that you learned from the chart. Possible answer: Young people who pursue university education have more employment opportunities. They also have a greater chance of joining the pension system.
• How do the layout and use of colors contribute to the message of the chart? Possible answer: The design simply demonstrates how young people benefit from continuing their studies. The design uses striking colors and a gradual style to show the size of the increase in opportunities.

#Holidays 🎉🎊

Most major holidays in the Spanish-speaking world are tied to Catholic traditions. 🙏✝️

#Los días festivos

| Día festivo | English | Descripción ...