How Quinceañeras Work

How Stuff Works ^ | October 16, 2017 | Cristen Conger

[2ndDivisionVet]

For Hispanic girls in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the United States and elsewhere, the 15th birthday marks the most lavish celebration of their lives. Designating a girl’s transition from childhood to adulthood, the quinceañera is a two-part festivity that traces back to both indigenous and European cultural traditions and has become an increasingly opulent affair in recent years. Parents may even spend more on their daughters' "Sweet 15" quinceañeras than their weddings, in fact, which is why some refer them as mini bodas, or miniature weddings. Not counting the birthday presents a young girl might receive, a low-end quinceañera in the United States can easily cost about $3,000 [source: Colloff].

One look at a quince girl (a nickname for the quinceañera honoree) on her special day, and the high price tag makes sense. First off, there's the outfit: Often made of satin with lace overlays and rhinestone accents, quinceañera dresses, the visible centerpieces of these celebrations, mirror what Cinderella might’ve worn to her fairytale ball. The floor-length gowns are traditionally white or pale pink, but the revived quinceañera culture accepts dresses in a rainbow of hues. Perched on the quince girl’s head is a delicate tiara or crown, the symbolism of which we’ll discuss later in the article, and in her hands -- at least at the beginning of the ceremony -- she might hold a Bible or book of prayer.

Although its emphasis is more on the party than the prayer, the quinceañera starts at the local Catholic church. Before any birthday cake is cut, the quince girl attends a special Mass in which she reaffirms her dedication to God and receives a blessing from the priest....

[discostu]

Back when they happened it was just introducing the kid to larger society, the start of bringing them into the family business.

[lastchance]

You are gross. And beneath contempt.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I wonder if they always employ crude racist insinuations, or if they save it for use on FR.

They should be told that these cheap insults are not welcome here.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Do you express yourself in demeaning stereotypes all the time, or do you save it for us here at Free Republic?

[Mrs. Don-o]

Do you express yourself in demeaning stereotypes all the time, or do you save it for us here at Free Republic?

[Mrs. Don-o]

Stupid insulting insinuations not welcome here.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Just about. She’d have been a teen in the WWI era.

[Mrs. Don-o]

{I hit Send too quick.) She died in 1980.

[Mariner]

“Do you express yourself in demeaning stereotypes all the time, or do you save it for us here at Free Republic?”

I’ve known several Mexican-American women.

Universally they have told me it’s the license to lay with men.

[lastchance]

I should not have posted such a personal response. Allow me to correct myself. Your post was gross and beneath contempt.

[lastchance]

The words “Gentlemen or Ladies” on the restroom door must throw them for a loop.

[Nevadan]

Good for your wife to recognize that. She was very wise.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I suppose that tells us what kind of ‘ladies’ you associate with.

[Future Snake Eater]

I saw some pretty impressive dress stores dedicated solely to this event. They were damned expensive, too.

[leaning conservative]

Thanks for speaking up about the charmers who spew their bile on FR. They make us look awful.

I just imagine that some are in mom’s basement & eating fast food & typing away. That is assuming they found someone to give them a ride to pick up some food.

[Tax-chick]

Things do tend to get loosey-goosey when there’s a war on.

[Tammy8]

I think many of them that turn up on threads like this are here for the purpose of making us all look bad. A little too much like what dims think Rs say about topics like this.

[Tax-chick]

From a sociological point of view, it’s interesting. The contention that “their” women are promiscuous and are “outbreeding” “us” is a textbook expression of perceived cultural weakness. “The Yellow [red, black, brown, etc.] Hordes will crush us with their incredible fecunity!”

[amihow]

White girls started losing their virginity out of wedlock way before Mexican girls. The gift to the Virgin of their virginity was never a part of sweet 16. Such a beautiful tradition often ends up with the Mexican bride leaving her wedding bouquet at the feet of the statue of the Virgin's after the wedding Mass. Virginity is still special in that culture.

[Mrs. Don-o]

In my mother’s day it was the custom for Catholic brides (not just Hispanic ones, Mother’s people were from the Rhineland Palatinate) to lay their bridal bouquets at the Mary statue. I didn’t do that, and I don’t know why. Didn’t think of it. It’s a lovely custom.