Like a sweet-16 party or a debutante ball, a quinceanera celebrates a girl blossoming from child to young woman.
It once signaled the time when a woman was available for marriage, though Latinas today typically wait much longer to marry.
Celebrated on a girl’s 15th birthday, the quinceanera is a deeply rooted tradition in many Latino communities in this country. Family and community bonds are reinforced during these social gatherings.
Laura Carrasco Gonzales’ quinceanera was a family affair. For example, her mother began preparing two years ago, selling tamales to friends and neighbors to raise $13,000 to make sure her daughter’s quinceanera had all the trimmings.
Last month, the family celebrated Laura’s quinceanera, with the pomp of a wedding, the religious tradition of the Roman Catholic Church, the pride of the family’s Mexican heritage, and the enduring beauty of a coming-of-age ceremony.
