compadrazgo

Ritual kinship common in Spanish-speaking societies, especially in Latin America, established at baptism, confirmation, and marriage, between a person, his or her biological parents, and his or her godparents. The relationship between the parents and the godparents, who call each other compadre or comadre depending on sex, is more important than that between the godchild and the godparent.

Only individuals of higher social class, such as employers, politicians, and professionals, are chosen as godparents. Refusal is difficult since being asked to act as a godparent is an honour, but it establishes patron-client ties which are often little more than attempts to solicit donations from wealthy sponsors in exchange for recognizing their higher social position.