Latinas Make Sweet 16-ish Their Own – New York Times

“Some say it is the boom in the Hispanic population, while others point to today’s party-mad, status-driven culture and the success of the MTV show “My Super Sweet 16.” But there is no doubt that the Hispanic coming-of-age quinceañera is more popular, move lavish and, in subtle ways, more American than ever. Picture a souped-up debutante ball without the high-society trappings or a bat mitzvah with an extra dose of razzle-dazzle, and a portrait emerges of many modern-day quinceañeras, a term that derives from the word quince (pronounced KEEN-say), which means 15 in Spanish.

“Quinceañeras have really taken off,” said Will Cain, publisher of the new glossy, ad-filled magazine Quince Girl, a takeoff on bridal magazines. “Quinceañeras are something unique, something that ties Hispanics together.”"

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