My lady is conservative because she was raised in what has to be the most conservative area of Mexico, which also means one of the most conservative areas of the world, IMO. Although Mexico is changing rapidly, I can see the values that she learned as a child present in the new generation of her beautiful teenage nieces. They are taught concepts (that are becoming foreign here in the USA) like respect for parents and elders, personal responsibility, pitching in and helping out, virginity or self respect in the family context (doing nothing to bring shame on themselves or family). I notice these things in my fiancee; for example, I went out to wash the Jeep yesterday. Before I knew it, she was out helping me scrub the bugs off from 2600 miles of driving from GDL. I got the vacuum out, she grabbed it and started in. She also said when her contract is up at the hospital next year, she would like to help me in my small Wildfire Suppression business, which would be a blessing as I wouldn't have to hire anyone else. I really see a hard work ethic instilled here, and she would like to be a partner in our marriage, not just eye candy on my arm.

Anyway hard work, personal responsibility, religious belief and respect are just some of the things I have noticed about my fiancee and her family. One other thing I have noticed. When at one of those glamorous parties they throw so well in Mexico, the teenagers all have access to alcohol, but I have never seen any drunk, probably because they don't want to do anything to bring shame on the family, or maybe it just isn't that big of a deal. Here, if the kids had free access, there would be a lot of guys in the bano hurling...just an observation...RG

We discussed this in the past but under the the question of "Are Colombian women in general traditional"?.  I think the concensus among most contributers at the time including Houndog was that they were not.  In other words, the new generation of Colombian women were quite different than the generation that proceeded them.  

Conservative and Traditional are closely related terms.  To be conservative means to hold on to or to conserve that which has been handed on to you from the past. These "things" for lack of a better word are called Traditions. We have traditions within our families, within our culture, and within our belief systems.

My own sense is that in Colombia, the new generation is vastly different then the generations that proceeded it.  For instance, my novia's grandparents are very devout Catholics.  Just so you understand, being a devout Catholic is not just Mass on Sundays, it is a culture or a way of life, it is the prism through which you see the world. My novia is Catholic but by baptism only.  The traditions of her grandparents mean little to her.  She has developed a view of the world that is in stark contrast.  My novia is at least in this respect not at all conservative.

to be continued

Departing from the past isn't necessarily a bad thing however.  We can move forward as a society or culture in many ways, learning from our mistakes, having the courage to try new things, but holding on to those core beliefs and ideas that help define us.

In Cali, the new generation is moving into the 21st century not unlike we are here.  Advances in technology find their way into life almost as quickly as here.  While technology has been a positive change, I question whether other changes have.  The core belief system that existed has been modified if not replaced by the pop culture mantra of living only for the moment. Attitudes about sex, family, and responsibilty are different from previous generations. Some people would welcome these changes but others like myself do not.

In certains areas of society where I welcome change, I might be considered progressive.  However in areas like core belief or value systems, I tend to be very conservative, despite my Freudian slip. (-:

I have very little practical experience with Mexico but I think I understand what Randy was suggesting.  He was suggesting that Mexico is very much a part of the modern world when it comes to technology and commerce yet it still retains it's core value systems from the past.  My own guess is that Mexico is changing also, buying into the pop-culture if you will, but perhaps more slowly than other Latin American countries.

El Diablo

I have a co-worker and friend from India who more less met her husband in this fashion.  When I talk to her today about her husband, she has nothing but admiration, love and respect for him.  If I recall correctly, he is about 10 years her senior.  She and I are the same age, 33y/o.  She is a very happy person and often refers to her husband as her soul mate.  She said, she would not leave him for the world.  They have one daughter, neither were married before meeting each other and they are going into their 13th year of marriage.  That is an amazing accomplishment for a couple now a days.  Many of the other females in the department, view this arrangement with disdain.  Their comment being, "She did not love her husband when they were married; She had to learn to love him."  She was until recently one of the youngest married persons in the department, but is among of the ones married the longest. Although I don't think I would want to meet my spouse in this fashion, it really make you think twice given the liberal rhetoric of today.

Another thing I found amazing is despite our cultural and religous differences, we have very similar core values and beliefs(marriage, morals, ethics and family).  She is Hindu and I am Christian.  I also share this commonality with one other in my department and she is Muslim.

Quote "With great freedoms comes great responsibilities."

The term conservative is flawed because clearly it conjures up different thoughts among different people.  However I believe most people had a sense of what Randy or Patrick were talking about when they suggested Mexican culture was perhaps more conservative than cultures in Latin America.  Some may disagree with the premise but I think it was more or less understood.

I don't think that the use of the term conservative requires the same degree of value judgement either that good or bad do.  Good and bad are very strong labels speaking to things beyond beliefs and into areas like character etc.

El Diablo

Sounds like you've slowed down on your drinking. That's a good thing. And speaking of objectivity...that's what I'm asking for. Certian people have made claims...claims I see little evidence of when taken as a whole. So I asked to hear about the evidence...is that not reasonable ? Is it not also reasonable for me to throw out a few observations that exist in fact to head off posturing ?

And in fact did you say above that what some call/consider themseleves and the ways they act just might be contradictory ? Well....!

HD

Peace....Hoda