American culture has hybridized the quinceañera. Your little girl will not only still dream of turning into a beautiful princess, but she will also want a professional dance routine and luxury car too! Oh, and dads, I hate to break it to you, but not only will you be waltzing; you may also be taking hip-hop lessons now. These drastic changes all started with MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 and the newer Quiero Mis Quinces. Prior to these shows, quinceañeras were not as grandiose and sweet sixteen parties were not as common amongst Latinos.
The quinceañera marks a young Latina’s rite of passage into womanhood and has historical roots tracing back to the Aztecs. Although ceremonies that celebrate a child’s transition into adulthood are not unique to the Latino culture, the quinceañera is one of the most well known Latino traditions. With all the changes taking place, can a quinceañera still be considered a quinceañera when it is no longer held on a fifteenth birthday? The greater question is: does it even matter?
Quinceñeras of the past were simpler affairs where families attended a traditional Catholic mass and dinner reception. It was after the popularity of these MTV shows that high school girls opted for more opulent quinceañeras, or their own super sweet sixteen that was essentially still a quinceañera, just a year late. It doesn’t matter what you call the party; both are basically identical and serve the same purpose.
MTV shows an exaggerated portrayal of the modern day quinceañera and sweet sixteen, but they still hold some truth. When closely observed, there is a clear revelation of what these parties have actually become – a hybrid of Latino and American culture. The problem with both shows is not their effect on the merging of two cultures; this is the beauty of being Latino. The issue lies in whether or not the sacredness of a quince is being overshadowed by the glitter and glamour.
Television may be able to sway teens, but parents must stand their ground on ensuring that the beauty of becoming a woman amongst close family and friends is not overpowered by material desires. Personal preference and the maturity of the girl participating in the ceremony should be factored into the planning of such an elaborate event. If the young girl can truly understand what it is to become a young woman at fifteen, by all means stick with having the party on her fifteenth birthday. If not, wait another year and opt for the sweet sixteen instead. This is okay too. All that matters is keeping the sacred parts of the ceremony intact.
The key words to remember while planning are “becoming a woman.” As long as the church ceremony, reception, dancing, and attire highlight the girl’s transition into womanhood and therefore remains classy, the integrity of the quinceañera tradition remains unscathed at any age.
Ces’Ari (pronounced Chez-ah-ree) earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine, and a M.Ed. from Arizona State University, while simultaneously balancing writing and marriage. Read more about Ces’Ari on her personal blog.
About Being Latino Contributors
15<16. i thought everyone knew this.
They are basically the same. Milestone age, Journey into womanhood…there are different cultural aspects but the gist of it is the same.
i think so. a 15 is more latino based and a sweet 16 is americanized. if you get what I mean
the difference is that in one gets over taken by old drunk 40 to 60 year olds dancing away to theirr music
yeah one is latino and better
Yes–there are significant cultural and religious differences.
^^^^ but waste of Money !
difference is one yr.
lol
agree latino is better. And we celebrate with honor and values.
As the others expect anddemand certain items for turning 16.
bring back our ole traditions!!
one year
Only latinos on common wealth do sweet sixteen. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYIN???
The difference is one year. I had a Sweet 16 with all the same traditions as a Quinceanera. So it is the same thing.
Is the same, both equally pointless and annoying traditions
@Protest. We celebrate with honor and values….then get REALLY DRUNK and fight everyone in the room….
@ toni religious difference thats a joke right the answer 1 year that is the difference
we celebrate with honor and values yeah teenage pregencey this is too funny
a Quince is more formal, and traditional. a Quinces, or a Quinceanera. The celebration traditionally begins with a religious ceremony. A reception is held in the home or a banquet hall. The festivities include food and music, and in most, a choreographed waltz or dance performed by the Quinceanera and her court.
The Quinceanera’s court can be comprised of young girls (called a Dama), young men (called Chambelán or Escorte or Galán) or a combination of both – traditionally up to 14 persons in the court, which with the Quinceanera, would total 15 young people.
The Quinceanera traditionally wears a ball gown, with her court usually dressed in gowns and tuxedos. Guests usually receive small tokens, cápias and cerámicas, to commemorate the celebration.
Keep the traditions and let your daughter choose. Let’s make sure we maintain integrity by remebering what the celebration is really about “her!”. Where i am concerned My daughter will choose what she wants.
it has way more meaning for a latina
Yes 15 have a lot to do with church also
Yes because a 15 is more traditional and more important than a 16 a sweet 16 is more party without an actual meaning and cultural tradition to it
Brown and white
Quinceañeras are much more fun, like any other Hispanic party
Yes, the ridiculous amount of money spent by people of lesser means to celebrate non-womanhood. Both are European in origin. Your 15yr old is not a woman and neither is your 16 yr old …. maybe in 1712 when life expectancy was short … but not now.
It is not like any other Hispanic Party. It is more of a special celebration because you are presenting a female that went from a little girl to a young lady and is presented to society.
@Frank ….. Spaniards are White Europeans and don’t you ever forget that.