The barrio has maintained its close ties through kinship and respect for the Spanish language and Mexican customs. The cohesive society began in the early days of settlement, when Mexican immigrants found themselves in a strange and often hostile environment. Members could help each other with language or employment problems while the community coped with external hostility and eased the pangs of homesickness for the homeland. Indeed, many original settlers sustained such a love for Mexico they did not take United States citizenship because they expected to return to the old country. During the 1920's and 1930's, however, Westside residents sank permanent roots in Kansas City, as they began to buy their own homes and find more rewarding jobs.
Older residents prefer to speak Spanish whenever possible and families preserve Mexican traditions.
The people of the Westside have built American lives enriched by their ethnic heritage. Family ties are as valuable as communal ties in the barrio community. Traditionally, the Mexican American father has been the family leader while the mother cared for the children's education and religious upbringing. Children assumed much responsibility for household chores and care of younger children. The younger generations also cared for aging relatives and family devotion extended to aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as the family nucleus.