La Familia Argentina

Viudas e Hijas de Roque Enroll's song "La Familia Argentina" offers a satirical and somewhat ironic portrayal of the traditional Argentine family. The lyrics paint a picture of an idealized household where peace and routine reign supreme. The children come home from school, the family sits together for coffee, and the father goes to work while the mother tends to household chores. This seemingly perfect scenario is underscored by a sense of duty to preserve faith, morality, and well-constituted couples, reflecting societal expectations of family roles and values.

However, beneath this veneer of perfection, the song subtly critiques these traditional norms. The mother’s hands are tired from constant work, and there’s a lack of genuine communication within the family. The father returns home without greeting anyone, and the children are absorbed in their Walkmans, ignoring their mother. This disconnect highlights the superficiality of the so-called perfect family life, where appearances are maintained at the expense of genuine emotional connections.

The song's repetitive refrain, emphasizing the importance of defending and loving the Argentine family, serves as a reminder of the societal pressure to conform to these ideals. Yet, the mundane and somewhat robotic daily routines, coupled with the lack of meaningful interaction, suggest a deeper commentary on the hollowness of these traditional values. By juxtaposing the ideal with the reality, Viudas e Hijas de Roque Enroll effectively use satire to question and critique the rigid expectations placed on families in Argentine society.