Families members are very close to one another and traditional, as stated in the interview with the 33 year old Costa Rican woman. In another interview with a 12 year old boy, his mother interected and explained that since her family moved to the United States, they live with fewer people. In Costa Rica they lived with her parents, grandparents, and brother. Most families are big. Extended family tends to live together in one household. Also, it is not uncommon for someone to be 35 and still living with his or her parents in Costa Rica.

 

 

 

The desire of the average Costa Rican is to have a good job, get married and have a family to take care of. In married couples the husband and wife appear to have equal duties and rights. However, this is not to say that men and women are treated as equals. As in any other Latin American culture, there is a certain undertone of "machismo" or male dominance or superiority. This has been slowly changing and even most recently women have gained ground in politics.

 

 

 

Family bonds and values in Costa Rica are very strong. It’s sacred to Costa Ricans and is an important cultural aspect of the country. Children are treated with loving care by everyone in the family. Sometimes it may seem like the children are really spoiled, but Costa Ricans love to show their love and affection in every possible way.