Costa Rican Family Life

To the casual observer, Costa Rican family life appears similar to that of North America: couples share in household duties; parents raise their children with love; and, while marriage is the most traditional union, more and more couples are choosing to live together before marriage. However, a closer look reveals that family life in Costa Rica is unique in many aspects.

In general, Costa Rican families are very tightly knit. Many households are multigenerational – grandparents, parents and grandchildren comprise a common family unit, but great-grandchildren, cousins, and other close family members may live together, as well. Children often live at home until they get married. It is important to note that there is little to no social stigma associated with living at home, even for adults in their 20's, 30's or 40's who have steady jobs.

While living in close quarters may be challenging at times, this practice promotes family unity, and Costa Rican family members enjoy each other's company. Weekends are often spent with relatives, and young children count their siblings and cousins as their best friends and favorite playmates. Adults are close with their parents, and grandparents are involved in their children and grandchildren's lives.

With so much time spent among family members of all ages, it is not surprising that children can be very compassionate with older and younger family members. It is common to witness a 14-year-old boy rocking his baby sister to sleep or a young girl carrying her younger brother around on her hip. Likewise, children often help their grandparents with household chores, or lend them a supportive arm to cross the street or board the bus. Even the embarrassment factor seems lesser in Costa Rica: school-age and even teenage youth, both boys and girls, often hold hands with their parents, and kiss them goodbye before heading off to school.