"Bikinis & Tiaras: Quinceaneras" in Girls on the Verge: Debutante Dips, Drive-bys, and Other Initiations by Vendela Vida

The following is a chapter from Girls on the Verge by Vendela Vida. In this chapter she talks about how she traveled to Miami to observe the fifteen year old girls and how they celebrate their Quinceaneras today. How the tradition has changed and it isn't what it used to be. It is viewed more as a party to them and a huge tradition to their mothers. This is a definite ritual in America and has turned into competition for young girls and a milestone for mothers.