Ritual kinship in the form of god parenthood (compadrazgo) played an important

role in strengthening and extending the ties of kinship, as it did in much of Latin
America. Parents selected godparents for a child at his or her baptism, confirmation,
and marriage. The godparents were then tied to the parents as co-parents. Those
chosen for the child's baptism were considered the most important, and great care
was exercised in their selection.

Ideally co-parents should be a married couple; they were preferred because their
unions were typically more stable and they were more likely to be able to provide a
home for the child should the need arise. In most communities, however, there were
not enough couples to serve as godparents for all children, so single women of good
reputation were frequently chosen. It was important that the person asked should
be of proper character and good standing in the community.

Often parents asked a close, important relative to serve as godparent. The tie
between co-parents reinforced that of kinship. The same godparents could serve for
the couple's successive children, a practice that further strengthened the ties
between the families involved.

A godparent was expected to see to his or her godchild's upbringing, should the
parents be unable to do so. In many ways the social link between co-parents was
more significant than that between godparents and godchildren. Co-parents were
required to treat each other with respect and assist one another in times of need.
Marriage or sexual relations between co-parents were considered incestuous; an
insult to a co-parent was a grave matter, condemned by the community at large. In
the countryside, ties to godparents had daily social significance; children visited
their godparents often and were expected to treat them with particular respect. Not
even quarrels or the death of the godchildren should break the ties between co-
parents.

Compadrazgo served different purposes in rural and urban areas and among
different social classes. In cities and among the more prosperous, the institution
principally fulfilled the requirements for a Roman Catholic baptism. Godparents
assumed the cost of the baptism and were expected to give gifts on a godchild's
birthday and other significant occasions. Rarely did they have to assume the
responsibility of raising a godchild; if they did, the financial wherewithal was
provided through inheritance. In the countryside and among the poor, the
responsibility to care for the godchild was taken more literally. If the parents were
unable to care for their offspring, a godparent was expected to do so or find
someone who could. Godparents should not only give gifts to the godchild on special
occasions, but also assist with his or her schooling. Co-parents should come to one
another's aid in times of social or economic distress.
 Kinship of Ritual

Submitted by:

Arjie Mark Monsanto

Angel Shrine Geronimo

Gr. 11- Genares

Submitted to:

Ms. Ma. Jodelyn S. Daan