Table of ContentsThe Value of Family in Puerto Rican CultureThe Importance of ReligionThe Role of Education, Relationships, and Food WorkQuoted:People of Puerto Rican descent who live in the States -United States exhibit many cultural constructs prevalent in their country of origin. Whether through family traditions, education, or religion, Puerto Rican Americans tend to pay homage to their culture in their daily lives. In Sonia Sotomayor's memoir My Beloved World, she provides insight into what it was like to grow up in a Puerto Rican family. The values ​​and customs explained in the novel will be examined in more detail in conjunction with other resources throughout this article. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay The Value of Family in Puerto Rican Culture One aspect of Puerto Rican culture that is of great importance is family. The family is a structural foundation that is integrated throughout an individual's life. According to researcher Derek Green (2019), “the Puerto Rican family structure is extensive; It is based on the Spanish system of compadrazco (literally "co-parenting") in which many members – not just parents and siblings – are considered part of the immediate family. This type of family dynamic consists of aunts, uncles, cousins ​​and grandparents within the immediate family. In addition to blood ties, ties with close friends are also highly valued and contribute to family life. The enormity and importance of family is frequently expressed throughout Sonia Sotomayor's novel. The members mentioned by Sonia are Abuelita, Tio Benny, Nelson, Miram, Titi Gloria, Titi Maria, Titi Aurora, her mother, her brother Junior and several others. It is common for family members to live relatively close to each other, sometimes even in the same household. At one point in the novel, Sonia talks about when she moved into a new house with her brother and mother. As Sotomayor (2016) mentions, several family members moved to the immediate area shortly after their move. Staying in touch with family members is a crucial act of showing you care. As Lesley University professor Maria De Lourdes Serpa (2005) stated, “telephone communications, as well as visits between families, are signs of caring and are strongly encouraged and valued” (Puerto Rican Culture section, paragraph 2). . These traditions are on display in Sotomayor's novel when she leaves for college. During Sonia's first semester at Princeton University, her Abuelita sends her envelopes containing dollar bills and her mother visits her on campus. Although mail can be a variation of phone calls, it is still a method of communication that shows affection. A relationship of utmost importance in Puerto Rican culture is that between a mother and her children. In terms of mother-daughter relationships, they tend to be very close, caring and helpful to each other. Patterns tend to appear in the way mothers treat their daughters and in the way they raise them. As described in the journal Ethnicity and Family Therapy, mothers raise their daughters to be polite, respectful, and hardworking. The mother tends to take care of the house so that their daughters can concentrate on their studies and succeed academically. This idea translates into the importance of education,which will be briefly discussed later in this article. Besides the importance of family relationships, the structure of a family and the roles its members play is something that has meaning in culture. Throughout history, Puerto Rican families have been a patriarchal faction. This means that men are the heads of the family; in other words, they are the authority figure within a family. The significant gender roles in place come from the Spanish and Western European cultures that became well established during the conquest of Puerto Rico. In the past, women had much less power. The well-known social concept that women were in the kitchen and took care of children was the norm in the past. However, this gender role model is changing. According to a text published in the journal Ethnicity and Family Therapy, women gain more power socially and economically, while men help more at home. The Importance of Religion A second cultural element that has a significant impact on the lives of Puerto Ricans is religion. In the words of scholar Derek Green (2019), “Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion” (Overview section, paragraph 2). The establishment of the Roman Catholic Church in Puerto Rican culture occurred when the Spanish colonized the island in the early 1500s. Since its introduction to Puerto Rico, Catholicism has impacted beliefs, traditions , education and social structure of the Puerto Rican people. The way Puerto Ricans practice their religion is influenced by how it is practiced around the world, with some notable differences. According to Derek Green (2019), Puerto Rican religious practice is strongly influenced by the Passion of Christ, the Seven Sacraments, and religious literature. In terms of differences, Puerto Rican practice has less Irish influence than that of the United States. This means that they do not have a built relationship with God. As noted in the journal Ethnicity and Family Therapy, "Puerto Ricans distrust the Catholic Church and the priest...they tend to personalize their relationship with God." In other words, religious practices are less controlled by the Church and are governed by personal values ​​and beliefs. Often, religious affiliations extend beyond religious services and into the educational system. In the novel My Beloved World, Sonia Sotomayor acknowledges this notion when she talks about her Catholic school education. Sonia attended a Catholic institution until college. The role of education, relationships and nutrition As in many cultures, education is a crucial part of life; Puerto Rico is no exception. Education is a foundation that ultimately leads to success in various aspects of life. As researchers McGoldrick, Giordano, and Preto (2005) argue, education opens the door to many opportunities, especially for those who come from a low socioeconomic status. Education is therefore highly valued in Puerto Rican culture. This concept is described in Sonia Sotomayor's memoir, My Beloved World, when she talks about applying to and attending college. As Sotomayor (2016) stated, she came from a family that did not have much money. Despite her financial difficulties, she excelled in school. Her academic success earned her admission to Princeton University. She received a full scholarship, which helped her and her family immensely. Attending Princeton opened endless windows of opportunity for Sonia. Ultimately, his education improved his life. Cultural values ​​are a primary subject that influences almost all, 66(3), 213-225.