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Spanish CulturePresented by Group Three

Daniel LesterRebecca LindScott Mercier

Background Photo from Tourizm Maps

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Welcome to Group Three’s Presentation

• In the following presentation we will introduce you to the people, places and things that make Spanish Culture what it is.

• The topics to be covered include:– Demographics- presented by Daniel Lester

– Rituals- presented by Rebecca Lind

– Male Gender Roles- presented by Scott Mercier

– Clothing- Presented by Brandon Maine

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Demographics

(http://blog.willamette.edu/people/klutz/journal/archives/2008/09/what_should_of_been_prespain_i.html)

By: Daniel Lester

Photo From Galen R Frysinger

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Population•46,505,963 (July 2010 est.)•0-14 years: 14.5% (male 3,021,822/female 2,842,597) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 13,705,107/female 13,601,399) 65 years and over: 18.1% (male 3,071,394/female 4,282,683) (2010 est.)•10.91 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)•8.72 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

(http://www.indexmundi.com/spain/demographics_profile.html)

(Photos: Stephen Wong)

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People of Spain(http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2878.htm)

• Nationality – Spaniards

• Ethnic groups– Basques– Catalans– Galicians

• Religion– Roman Catholic accounts for about 75% of population– Protestant– Islamic faiths

• Language– Official Language is Spanish 74%– Catalan-Valencian 17%– Galician 7%– Basque 2%

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Employment

• Labor force 23.0 million (Apr. 2010)

• Labor force (Sep. 2009)– by occupation • Services (70.7%)• Industry (14.1%)• Construction (9.9%)• Agriculture, farming, and fishing(4.5%)• Energy (0.7%)

– Unemployment 20.5% (August 2010 est.)

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General Education Facts1. nursery infant education (0 to 6

years)2. primary education (6 to 12 years)3. compulsory secondary education

(12 to 16 years)4. post-compulsory secondary

education, including the baccalaureate and the middle grade of vocational training

5. upper grade vocational training6. university education (to become

university student a university entrance examination must be passed)http://www.spainexchange.com/educator_info/spain_education.php

(photo: Susan Pedalino)

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Education Reform• The educational law of 1990, the Ley Organica de Ordenacion General del Sistema

Educativo (LOGSE) (Law on the General Organization of the Educational System) states the following

1. Basic education is compulsory and free of charge, and it is extended up to the age of 16, the legal age for starting work

2. The educational system includes general and special education3. All students have basic vocational training, which is given in secondary

education. Specific vocational training is organized at two levels, the first at the end of compulsory secondary education, and the higher level at the end of the 'Baccalaureate

4. Improvement in the quality of teaching must be achieved via the renewal of the contents of the courses, improvement in human resources and material resources, and better use of the various instruments of the educational system

5. Religious instruction must be available at all schools, but it is voluntary for pupils6. Special systems are applied for artistic education and language learning

http://www.spainexchange.com/educator_info/spain_education.php)

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Rituals of Spain

By: Rebecca Lind

Photo from Cascade Christian Academy

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Adapting to Others Who Are Different from You

According to Beebe S. A., Beebe S. J., and Ivy K. (2010), “. . . we need effective communication skills to overcome our differences . . . Identifying the causes of misunderstanding is a good first step . . .”(Beebe et al., 2010, p.161). Intercultural communication competence is important to have when communicating with people from other cultures. Intercultural communication competence “is to be able to adapt your behavior toward another person in ways that are appropriate to the other person’s culture” (Beebe et al., 2010, p.161). There are two strategies to help properly adapt to others: “seek information about a culture and ask questions and listen to the responses” (Beebe et al., 2010, p.161).

This section will inform you of some of the rituals practiced in Spain that can help to improved the communication process by adapting behavior and communication to their culture.

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FamilyFamilies in Spain are traditionally very close and interdependent. Most households are extended family households. The household will consist of other family members besides the parents and children. All members within the family have a moral responsibility for providing social and financial support to other family members.

The second and last meals of the day are considered important family and social gathering times. The second meal of the day, el almuerzo, is the main meal of the day and in some areas children and adults are sent home during lunch for around two to four hours to spend this important meal together. “Commercial and office hours are designed around the comida hours: most businesses are closed by 1:00 or 2:00 and do not reopen for afternoon business until 4:00 or 5:00 P.M. at the earliest . . .(Countries, 2011).”The last meal of the day, la cena (the dinner), is often eaten as late as 9:00 p.m.

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CelebrationsAccording to Wikipedia (2011) “. . . about 73% of Spaniards self-identify as Catholics . . .” Therefore a few of their traditions and celebrations can be found in American as well however, they may be celebrated at different times and in different ways.

Christmas is celebrated in Spain. However, it is not Santa who brings gifts but the Three Wise Men and the holiday is referred to as Epiphany. Children in Spain awake on January 6th to discover gifts have been left in the shoes they left outside the night before. This is to celebrate the day the Three Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus.

Many people in Spain practice a tradition referred to "Hogueras“ or Saint John’s bonfires. This tradition is the observance of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, which also coincides with St. John’s day. During this celebration large papier-mâché statues decorate the streets and large bonfires are lit on the beaches were people jump through them while making a wish.

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Male Gender Roles

By Scott MercierPhoto from International Language Resource Center

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Machismo

Defined as: A strong or exaggerated sense of manliness; an assumptive attitude that virility, courage, strength and entitlement to dominate are attributes or concomitants of masculinity. (IAC)

There are many stereotype of the typical Macho Spanish Male. These often include:

-The Latin Lover-The Lazy Siesta Enjoying Man-The Brutal Bull Fighter

The effects of Media and Literature have given Americans an unrealistic view of the Modern Spanish Male. The current Gender roles in Spain are not always those reflected in A Sun Also Rises, or by actor Antonio Banderas.

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MachismoIn some cases the stereotypical views of Machismo and the Spanish Male coincide.

Some examples of this include:

1. A recent law was passed in Spain requiring Men to do their fair share of the house work and family care. This is in response to the statistics that 40% of the men do not do any housework or family care, in spite of living in a two wage earner household.

2. Fathers spend only an average of 13 minutes a day looking after their children.

3. Only 19% of Men feel mothers should work outside of home.

4. Only two women have ever joined the highest echelon of Matadors.

5. Piropo’s, also know as Cat calls, are used in American Culture would define as offensive behavior towards women.

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MachismoWhile some of the stereotypes of Machismo fit, many do not.

Those that do not include:

1. On a Intercultural Dimension Scale developed by a Cultural Awareness Business, Spain rates lower than the United States in the Masculinity Traits. This means that in Spain, there is less discrimination and less differentiation between genders.

2. Spain is considered a high context communication society. The verbal message sent by men is very important, but interruptions are common and expected.

3. Younger Generations are more open and recognize less gender differences. (Hofstede)

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Male Roles by Economic Status

• The culture and expected gender roles can vary depending on geographic location and economic status. (FRD)

• Various regions are considered agricultural, deriving their income from animal husbandry and farming. This leads to differing gender roles that one would find in more urban area, who’s economies revolve around business and manufacturing. (Advameg)

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Rural Traits vs Urban Traits

• Men primarily hold the animal husbandry and horticultural jobs.

• Men assists in the house hold chores to include cooking, but seldom do laundry and such.

• Child raising is a partnership between the wife and husband.

• Men and Women participate in separate Leisure activities.

(Advameg, Spain, FRD)

• Men are more likely than women to pursue politics

• Women still spend more time on household management

• Men and women lead more separated and individual lives

Rural Urban

Communication through Clothing

by Brandon Maine

Clothing has two specific roles in cultures and society:1. To protect us from the elements and 2. To outwardly represent one’s culture (Beebe, 2010)

• Clothing and artifacts (jewelry, cologne/perfume, hats, tattoos, etc.) are the primary outward identifiers of individualism and culture.

• Learning about patterns of clothing in a culture can provide insight into the important values being communicated externally.

• Currently, clothing in Spain is similar to the clothes worn by Americans. This similarity exists as a result of globalization of popular clothing stores.

• However, the history of Spain contains a broad range of traditional clothing.

Clothing in Communication

• Women: Women have many different pieces of traditional clothing• Mantilla: The mantilla is a light lace or silk scarf worn over the head and

shoulders, usually over a high comb, by women in Spain. • Peineta: A peineta is similar in appearance to a large comb and is used to hold up

a mantilla. It increases the height of the wearer and also holds the hair in place when worn for special occasions.

• Flamenco dress: a traditional dress used in a centuries-old dance.

• Men: Men’s traditional clothing is primarily based upon the sport of bullfighting. This clothing includes a sombrero, kerchief, and sarape

• Sombrero: traditional Spanish hat• Kerchief: bandana worn under hat to protect from the elements• Sarape: a ponch to protect from rain and cold.

Traditional Clothing

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Questions

• How does Spain’s focus on education benefit them as a country and as individual people?

• Why do you think gender roles have changed over time in Spain?

• What similarities exist in Spanish customs and American customs?

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Demographic References

Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Initials. (2010, October 20). U.S. department of state diplomacy in action. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2878.htm

Spain demographics profile 2010. (2010, December 31). <http://www.indexmundi.com/spain/demographics_profile.html>

Student, Initials. (2010). Spain education system. Retrieved from http://www.spainexchange.com/educator_info/spain_education.php

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Ritual References

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Ivy, D. (2010). Listening and Responding. The Blue Book of Communication Studies (Tacoma Community College Custom Edition) (p.161 – 167). New York: Pearson

Countries and Their Cultures. (2011). Retrieved February 20, 2011, from http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Spain.html

Epiphany (holiday). (2011, February 23). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:42, February 23, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Epiphany_(holiday)&oldid=415476030

Public holidays in Spain. (2011, February 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:37, February 23, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Public_holidays_in_Spain&oldid=413896575

Religion in Spain. (2011, February 9). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 18,2011, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Spain

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Male Gender Roles Resources2010. Hofstede's Intercultural Dimensions. Kwintessential. 16 Feb 2011.

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/intercultural/dimensions.html

2010. Spain- Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Kwintessential. 16 Feb 2011. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/spain-country-profile.html

Advameg, Inc. (2011) Spain. Countries and Their Culture. 16 Feb 2011. http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Spain.html

Federal Research Division. (1988) Spain: A Country Study. 16 Feb 2011. http://countrystudies.us/spain/

IAC Corporation. (2011) Machismo. (12 Feb 2011) http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/machismo

Tremlett, Giles. (8 April 2005). Blow to machismo as Spain forces men to do housework. Guardian UK. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/apr/08/gender.spain

• Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Ivy, D. K. (2010). The Blue Book of Communication Studies (TCC Custom Edition). Boston: Allyn and

• Bacon.Garcia, Roel. “Clothing used by a Mexican Vaquero”. http://www.ehow.com/about_5374757_clothing-used-mexican-vaquero.html.Accessed 2/20/11.

• Fontelera, Jorina. “Flamenco Dress History”. http://www.ehow.com/about_5081539_flamenco-dress- history.html. Accessed 2/20/11.

• Garcia, Roel. “Clothing used by a Mexican Vaquero”. http://www.ehow.com/about_5374757_clothing-used-mexican-vaquero.html.Accessed 2/20/11.

Clothing Resources