A comprehensive overview of Mexican American families and their socialization practices is presented, along with a review of major parenting models and their applicability to Mexican American families. The evolutionary development of the Chicano family is analyzed using a psychological-sociological-cultural experience iconic model to explain the complexity of the early socialization practices. Indian, Spanish, Mestizo-Mexican, Mexican American-Chicano, and Anglo influences are used to identify a core cluster of "presumed socialization practices". Socio-institutional interactional impact is also examined. Parenting models reviewed are the Adlerian Parent Study groups, Gordon's Parent Effectiveness Training, Clark's Responsive Parent Training, Glasser's Parent Involvement Training, and Family Therapy Model, including mainly the work of Satir, Haley, and Minuchin. A process-criteria paradigm extrapolated from the psycho-socio-cultural perspective and the institutional influence is used to examine the relevance of these models to Mexican Americans. The document states that most parenting and family therapy models are geared to middle or upper class Anglo Americans and do not necessarily focus on the unique socialization practices of Mexican American families. Two research efforts, the Casaus Parent Involvement Training Model for Minority Parents and the Houston Parent Child Development Center Model, are suggested as bases for constructing models applicable to Mexican American parents. (DS)