About E. S. Expertise I can answer anything that there is to know about being Latino the in the United States. I can also answer questions regarding immigration and emigration to/from the United States.
Experience I am first generation Mexican-American, born and raised in Southern California.
Education/Credentials Bachelors degree in Latin-American Studies and Spanish.
Question QUESTION: Hi and thanks for volunteering your time!
I was recently told that in Latino culture one is not supposed to touch the head of a baby or small child, like in patting it, stroking the hair etc. Is this correct? It was said to be something about the soul of the child leaving or something. I am particularly interested in this question from a Cuban persepctive but also in general.
Thanks
~John of AllFaith
ANSWER: This is true, but not only in Latino culture but in many cultures in Asia, Africa and Europe. In Latino culture, patting a childs head is more of a demeaning touch, as if you were touching a thing like a dog. Other parts of Latin America see it as if you're cursing the child. In Cuba they are more superstitious so I believe by touching a baby's head in such a demeaning way would be as if you are cursing the child.
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QUESTION: Thanks for your reply.
A follow-up if I may.
The reason for the question is that I'm writing a novel. The "good guys" in the story enter a non-nondescript Latino area in the US where a mother is seated with her child. She's probably Cuban but it isn't specified.
I want to show that these characters are good hearted respectful people who are still growing in their understanding of diverse cultures. My thought was for one of them to touch the child affectionately on the head while another was speaking to the mother about the plot line, in a friendly way by US cultural norms.
A friend of mine, who is proof reading for me, said that in Latino culture that would be viewed as intrusive and possibly offensive rather than friendly and open.
So I did some web research and found both views. I found that because of "the evil eye" it's often suggested that one should touch the child as a way of countering a possible "Mal de Ojo."
On the other hand, when I was in Central and South America many years ago I was struck by how open the people seemed to be and this was confirmed by other websites, that touch is a common and healthy part of Latino culture.
So now I am confused.
In my story as it now reads, the mother seems a bit put off when her child is touched by the strange North American, but we (the readers) don't know why.
Another person in the group then explains that touching an unknown child in this way is considered inappropriate rather than friendly. The mother then casts a cautious smile, happy that this aspect of her culture is understood and respected by these people... But... should the person instead explain that because of the Mal de Ojo concerns, touching the child was the appropriate thing to do? Either would work fine with my storyline.
Any thoughts you might have on this would be very much appreciated as I want all aspects of the book to be as realistic as possible. I could just remove this conversation entirely but part of what the book is seeking to do is foster inter-ethnic and inter-faith dialogue and understanding. This seems to be a cultural norm that most of us in the US are ignorant about. I'd like to share a bit of understanding here.
Thanks for your time,
~John of AllFaith
Answer Ok, I spoke to the most knowledgeable people that I know, my parents. And they gave me more interesting information that I hope will help. As far as Mal de Ojo, it is a superstitious belief, similar to someone telling you not to walk under a ladder. My grandmother, whom is a very superstitious person got very angry with my aunt one time because my aunt was cleaning the house late in the day. To my grandmother, it was taken as if my aunt was trying to get rid of my grandmother, in the form of cleaning her home. Your character being from Cuba, a very superstitious country, may very well believe in these ancient superstitious beliefs. Touching a child on the head is only relevant on ones degree of superstition. Taking Cubans for example, may see it as placing a Mal de Ojo, only if that person is non-family or a family member with whom they may have bad blood. The act of a stranger caressing the head of a child, I feel would be unacceptable for most parents. I would like to point out that true strong belief in such superstitions are mainly held by the older generation, now a days the Latino Culture is becoming less and less superstitious, having more of a global influence rather than European from where most of these superstitions come from.
My parents don't, whom are both immagrants from other countries in latin america do not see the act of touching the childs heads as placing a mal de ojo. hope this helps
