Family Life in Spain

I am very interested in other countries culture, and I would like to share my knowledge with you. I will start with Spain, and every week I will try to put something new about it. I hope you will enjoy :)

It is not exaggeration to say that the family comes first in Spain. Spain has one of the highest numbers of people per household in Europe. It is not unusual to find several genarations all living and working togheter under one roof, or living near each other. Families naturally show respect for their elders and often the grandparents have a hand in bringing up the younger children

Family occasions

As in most countries,a wedding (una boda ) brings families togheter.

A weeding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the right hand in Spain.

It is traditional to name children after the father, mother or

grandparents and this often involves a saint's name as well.

Spaniards celebrate their birthday (el cumpleaños)

and their saint's day (el santo).

Children are the centre of attention in a Spanish family so

christenings (un bautizo) and first communions

( la primera comunión) meana family gathering usually

accompanied by a large meal. Spaniards tend to spend a lot of

money on these celebrations.

Pets

Spanish people are not very sentimental about pets. Traditionally, animals worked the land and provided food. On many balcones, you may hear caged songbirds such as canaries. Today, dogs are becoming a status symbol but they have t be registered and wear a tattooed registration number or microchip. They have to have a health card, be kept on lead in public places and are forbidden in places where food is served or sold. It is illegal not to clean up after your dog and you can be finded on the spot !