Mexico, Motivation, Family Purpose

The Wage of a Head of Family

Article 123 of Mexico’s Constitution, section A, fraction VI, says that general minimum wages must be sufficient “para satisfacer las necesidades normales de un jefe de familia” (to meet the normal needs of a head of family). They must cover those needs in material, social and cultural terms, and pay for the children’s compulsory education.

The idea goes back to the original text of 1917, which considered the worker as head of a family. Article 90 of the Federal Labor Law now repeats the rule and speaks of a jefe o jefa de familia, a male or female head of family.

Leave for Children with Cancer

Since June 2019, working parents in Mexico whose children have cancer can take leave to care for them. According to the Mexican Social Security Institute, IMSS, the leave covers parents of children up to 16 years old. It may last up to 364 days within three years, and each single leave up to 28 days. (Video in Spanish.)

The reform added Article 140 Bis to the Social Security Law and a new cause for suspending work to the Federal Labor Law.

Five Days for Fathers

Article 132 of the Federal Labor Law lists the duties of employers. Fraction XXVII Bis requires them to “otorgar permiso de paternidad de cinco días laborables con goce de sueldo” (grant paternity leave of five working days with pay) to male workers at the birth or adoption of a child. According to El Financiero, the provision has existed since 2012 and was reformed in 2018.

A Day Off for Mothers

On March 23, 2026, the judiciary of Mexico City issued a circular for Mother’s Day. “Todas las madres servidoras públicas” (all mothers who are public servants) received a day off on May 8, together with a cash payment of one to four days’ salary, depending on their level. Mother’s Day in Mexico is May 10. In 2024, Excélsior noted that no legal provision obliges all companies to give this day off, but that some companies choose to.

Under the Same Moon

La misma luna, Under the Same Moon, is a film by the director Patricia Riggen, released in Mexican cinemas in March 2008. Rosario works illegally in the United States “con la esperanza de dar una vida mejor a su hijo” (in the hope of giving her son a better life). Her son, Carlitos, stays in Mexico with his grandmother.

Bringing the Family Forward

Sacar adelante a la familia, “to bring the family forward,” means to provide for one’s family. In May 2025, before Mother’s Day, a column in the newspaper Vanguardia described mothers “sacando adelante a sus familias” (bringing their families forward).

Remittances

Remittances are the money that Mexicans working abroad send home to their families. In 2024, according to Bank of Mexico figures reported by the agency EFE, remittances to Mexico rose 2.3 percent to a record 64,745 million dollars.