Bolivia

Family and Social Structures

Bolivian society is stratified along social class lines, although social mobility is possible. Ethnicity and culture have historically been key determinants of class standing, especially for those of Andean background or appearance. The lower classes are largely rural indigenous and peasant groups and urban poor and unskilled workers. Mestizos, disparagingly called cholos, form the middle group while a small, largely white elite forms the top group. Markers of elite status include residential area, Western clothing, housing, material goods, and high occupational and educational levels.

Nuclear household units and extended families are the main social components of Bolivian society. Kin networks and their social obligations are extended through marriage and fictive kin such as godparents. An inadequate government social welfare system and the large percentage of the population who work within informal economic networks mean that most Bolivians rely on kinship networks for economic assistance. Kinship networks are also crucial in the maintenance of social control. In some rural communities, land is communally owned and worked by kin groups. NGOS are also active in Bolivia, working in the areas of poverty, unemployment, agriculture, and coca leaf crop substitution programs.

Bolivians place a cultural emphasis on generosity and enjoy socializing on large and small scales. Villages, towns, and cities are situated around a central plaza that also serves as a communal social and entertainment space. Communal secular celebrations include Independence Day (August 6) and Labor Day (May 1), as well as national and regional festivals. Soccer is the dominant national sport, as it is in many Latin American countries. Other popular sports include basketball and volleyball. Vibrant literary, artistic, and cultural scenes receive support from the Bolivian Institute of Culture. La Paz and Sucre are known for their textiles, and many indigenous women pass on their culture's heritage through weaving, songs, and language.

Urban areas feature cinemas, theaters, and discos. Bolivia, like other Latin American countries, has seen a recent expansion in Internet use as personal computers become more affordable and broadband networks are increasingly available. Internet cafés are available in urban areas. According to Internet World Stats, 10.7 percent of the population has Internet access. E-mail and social networking sites such as Sonico, Hi5, Facebook, and MySpace are the most popular online activities, supporting the strong social emphasis on family ties.

Religious and Spiritual Components

Most Bolivians belong to the historically influential Roman Catholic Church. Protestantism and indigenous Andean beliefs are also practiced. Popular religious followings include that of the Virgin Mary; the national patron saint, the Virgin of Copacabana; and the Andean earth mother, known as Pachamama. Many social celebrations have a Catholic or Andean religious component, such as the Night of Saint John/summer solstice (June 21), All Souls and All Saints Days (November 1 and 2), Christmas, and carnival festivals prior to the Lenten season. Andean religion includes key social rituals such as coca chewing that maintain social and spiritual networks. Traditional medical practices include the use of divination and rituals and the belief that certain illnesses can be attributed to witchcraft or social conflicts.

...