Self-concept and self-esteem are two basic concepts that explain an individual’s successful functioning and adaptation in her environment. Additionally, culture, social stratification, and family system constitute causal agents in the process of socialization. In this process of development, maternal figures become an important source of transmission of differential values and positive self-evaluation for their children. In this article, from a psycho-social perspective, the cultural influence of maternal figures is analyzed. A comparison between characteristics both mothers and children from samples of Spain and Mexico is made.

Some researchers have put in evidence the importance of the family for the individual optimal development, as well as the effects due to the lack of this. Reason why it was investigated if there are some differences between children who live in family and children who live in orphaned situation, in psychological variables such as: self-esteem, locus of control, intra-family relationships, confrontation to the problems in life, and functions of the I (self). It worked with a sample composed by 355 children of both sexes that live in family (200) and (155) who live in orphaned situation. All the children are between 9 to14 years old, and live in Toluca, Mexico State City. The results indicate differences in each one of the scales applied in favor of the family children.

Self-concept and self-esteem are two basic concepts that explain an individual’s successful functioning and adaptation in her environment. Additionally, culture, social stratification, and family system constitute causal agents in the process of socialization. In this process of development, maternal figures become an important source of transmission of differential values and positive self-evaluation for their children. In this article, from a psycho-social perspective, the cultural influence of maternal figures is analyzed. A comparison between characteristics both mothers and children from samples of Spain and Mexico is made.

Some researchers have put in evidence the importance of the family for the individual optimal development, as well as the effects due to the lack of this. Reason why it was investigated if there are some differences between children who live in family and children who live in orphaned situation, in psychological variables such as: self-esteem, locus of control, intra-family relationships, confrontation to the problems in life, and functions of the I (self). It worked with a sample composed by 355 children of both sexes that live in family (200) and (155) who live in orphaned situation. All the children are between 9 to14 years old, and live in Toluca, Mexico State City. The results indicate differences in each one of the scales applied in favor of the family children.