Family first
Solidarity and mutual aid are de rigueur within the same clan. Children are king, but the elders, who are often highly respected, instill certain values in them. In Formentera, as in the rest of the archipelago, the family structure is still traditional, and it's not unusual to see several generations living together under the same roof. Young people, even when they are working, sometimes stay with their parents until they are married.
In fact, many businesses are still family-run, and know-how is passed down from generation to generation: everyone has their place, whether in service companies or restaurants. The same applies to first names: the eldest child is usually given his or her father's or mother's name, or even the grandparents' name. And if it's not taken directly from the family tree, as on the Spanish mainland, religion has a major influence on the choice of first names. There are plenty of Maria, Jesús and Josep in Formentera!
Place of the woman
Since the end of the dictatorship, the situation of women has changed considerably. Before the fall of Francoism, women tended to be assigned to the three Cs: the kitchen, the chiquillos (kids) and the priest. Today, most of them live relatively late with their parents, are much better educated than their mothers and are marrying much later (the average age of first marriage has risen from 24 to 30 in one generation!). Their employment rate is rising by an average of one point a year, even though the wage gap between men and women still exists. In 2015, Francina Armengol became the first woman to be elected President of the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands. She was replaced in 2023 by a woman, the conservative Marga Prohens.
Right to abortion
Abortion has been decriminalized in Spain since 1985 and legalized since 2010. In 2014, a bill banning abortion for women rocked public opinion, triggering strong opposition nationally, internationally and even within the PP. The bill was withdrawn shortly after it was proposed. In 2015, 16- and 17-year-olds were required to obtain their parents' consent to have an abortion. In 2022, the reform of the abortion law allowed young women aged 16 and 17 to have an abortion without parental consent. In 2024, the far-right Vox party launched a new appeal, which was rejected by the Constitutional Court.
LGBTQ+ rights
2005 marked a crucial turning point in the history of LGBTQ+ rights in Spain with the legalization of same-sex marriage. This legislative change paved the way for equal rights for same-sex couples, including the possibility of adopting children. Spain became one of the first countries in the world to recognize and formalize these rights, a significant advance on other European countries, such as France, where marriage was only legalized in 2013!
Religious festivities
The liturgical calendar has long been central to social life. Festivities generally honor a particular saint, such as St. Jaume or St. Carmen, bringing together large numbers of villagers in parishes. Traditional dances are performed in front of the churches, creating a festive atmosphere. Young people dress up in their finest finery, and the celebration continues in the streets and at home, with games, dances and folk songs. These moments are a real opportunity to get together with friends, neighbors and, of course, family. The festivities of the liturgical calendar continue to this day, testifying to the deep attachment of the island's inhabitants to their age-old traditions.
