A Cuban's Childhood

A Cuban's Childhood

My family is from Cuba. My Brother, Sister, and I were born in the Untied State. My parents emigrated to the United States when they were 5 years old. My grandparents were raised in Cuba. Both of my grandparents went to school until they were in 3rd grade. Then they had to work to help their family bring food to the table.

Believe or not, Castor has changed the Cuban educational system for the better. Before Castro came to power in Cuba, The education system in Cuba was close to being the worst in the world. I still don't believe in Castor's way of education, but he has changed it for the better than what it use to be. Castor has provided health in all schools and in daycare. Cuba now has one doctor for every 172 persons; one of the best ratios in the world. Cuban doctors have saved many children from childhood diseases.

A Cuban tradition that is practiced is when a girl turns fifteen. "This day is more important than her wedding," said the girl's proud father. "She goes from being a girl to a woman." This day is known as the girl's "quince." On this day, she would get all Dressed in a pink flowing gown and glittering crown. The girl stood at the entrance to a huge ballroom where friends and family waited to celebrate her 15th birthday. For rural Cubans, the celebration means selling a pig, taking a few photographs of the birthday girl, and holding a street party with homemade brew. Others hire a professional photographer to shoot the girl in colonial-style dresses, a bathing suit, bathrobe and other attire and also produce a video. For Cuba's wealthy few, the "quince" involves hiring a choreographer, room designer, videographer, disc jockey, makeup artist, hairstylist and others to throw an elaborate party at a five-star hotel or upscale restaurant.

Most children in Cuba do not experience such a typical childhood. They are expected and required to work in order to support their families. Under the labor code, fifteen and sixteen year old Cuban children receive training towards a job or can cover for absentees during a shortage of workers. This code also states children age eleven must devote between thirty and forty five days of their summer break to working on a farm. However, they are limited to a maximum of eight hours day.

Back then before Castro became president Cuba lacked a standard curriculum for school. One of Castor's main revolutionary goals was reforming the educational