Quinceañera Research Paper

Since the age ten I had waited eagerly for years for my quinceañera to come. A quinceañera, meaning fifteen years, is an event meant to mark the transition from childhood to adulthood, but when I was ten I was not thinking of the importance of a quinceañera. In my callow head it was just a grand party being held for me in which I would get tons of gifts and money. I knew what a quinceañera was, but I did not pay much attention to the meaning behind it. Little did I know I would have to stop playing with dolls sooner than later.

Five years later I had my quinceañera held on May 25th. That day I wore a beautiful sapphire colored ball gown. I had a ceremony held to reaffirm my baptismal vows, and then I was escorted to where the party was held. Once there, I greeted people I had never met before, but were related to me. Family is the biggest significance in my life, even if I did not have the strongest bond with all my relatives, because I knew I could count on them if I ever needed help. Relatives came from all over the United States to come celebrate with me, so I truly felt special that day.

I was given my first pair of heels and then I joined my father as he asked me to dance with him. The dance is supposed to symbolize the recognition of the daughter now being a young lady. I could see my dad’s eyes beginning to shine as we danced, but I just looked at him and smiled. After the father-daughter dance came the “ύltima muñeca”, which means “last doll”. I had to dance with my “last doll”, which essentially represents me going from childhood to adulthood. I would laugh at the thought of having to dance with a doll while the guests watched, but it definitely was better than having to play with the doll. Afterwards, I tossed my doll to the younger girls; similar to the way brides toss their wedding