THE MEXICAN AMERICAN POPULATION IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO ORIGINALLY HAD LAND GRANTS FROM THE SPANISH CROWN. LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OR ACCEPTANCE OF THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF INDIVIDUAL OWNERSHIP HAS CAUSED THE MEXICAN AMERICAN TO LOSE MUCH OF THE ORIGINAL GRANT LANDS. THE MEXICAN AMERICAN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION, ORIGINALLY STRUCTURED UPON THE FARM VILLAGE,…

THE SOUTHWEST IS SEEN AS A REGION LONG DOMINATED BY RANCHING, MINING, AND IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE. RAPID URBANIZATION AND INDUSTRIALIZATION IS RESULTING IN WATER PROBLEMS SIGNIFICANT TO A SOCIOCULTURAL AND A PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. THE FIRST GROUP OF PROBLEMS IS CHARACTERIZED BY INDIFFERENCES TO DROUGHT AND WATER DEPLETION POTENTIAL SINCE WATER USERS…

THERE ARE FEW AREAS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT OFFER SUCH ABUNDANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH AND STUDY AS DOES THE SOUTHWEST. THIS POTENTIAL IS NOT USED DUE TO A LACK OF RESEARCH FUNDING AND A LACK OF INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM WHICH ENCOURAGES RESEARCH. THE PROGRESS OF THE REGION IS HANDICAPPED BY THE LACK OF NEEDED INFORMATION AND DATA. THE…

DATA FOR THIS PAPER WERE OBTAINED FROM EXAMINATION OF AVAILABLE LITERATURE AND FROM FIELD WORK IN SAN MIGUEL AND MORA COUNTIES OF NORTHERN NEW MEXICO. THE EXTENDED PATRIARCHAL FAMILY WAS THE PRIMARY SOCIAL SYSTEM AMONG THE SPANISH AMERICANS, OFTEN CONSISTING OF MEMBERS OF THREE OR FOUR GENERATIONS HEADED BY THE GRANDFATHER. THIS FAMILY COOPERATED…

THE SPANISH AMERICANS IN NEW MEXICO ARE UNDERGOING GREAT SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CHANGE. THEIR VILLAGE CULTURE, FORMED IN ISOLATION NEAR IRRIGATED LAND WHICH HAD REMAINED REMARKABLY STABLE FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS, IS BREAKING DOWN. THE SPANISH AMERICANS ARE LEAVING THEIR VILLAGES AND MIGRATING TO INDUSTRIAL CENTERS. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS…