Spanish Family Values
- The family is the basis of the social structure and includes both the nuclear and the extended family, which sometimes provides both a social and a financial support network.
- Today, it is less common than previously for family members to work in a family business, as personal preferences are important and university education is general
- The structure and the size of the family vary, but generally, people live until longer lives, have fewer children than before, and fewer people live in their homes with extended family.
- Familial networks have become less tight. The greatest changes have occurred inside families, between men and woman, and the parents and children because the values that inspire these relations have changed.
Machismo
- Machismo is the word for male dominance, and the culture of old men who created it has changed dramatically.
- Spain is a very equalitarian society, the birth rate is the one of the lowest in Europe, and women are present at university and work.
Religion
- The majority of Spaniards are formally Roman Catholic, although different religious beliefs are accepted.
- During the history of Spain, there have been long periods of where different religious groups have coexisted, including Muslims, Jews and Christians.
- Still some traditions manifest more like a cultural event than a religious one.
- During Holy Week, many participants of the processions wear peaked, black hats as the sign of a penitent and walk barefoot, carrying a burden of some kind.
- Religious history is apparent in every small town, where the most grandiose building is typically the church. In the large cities the Cathedrals are almost museums.