The Man Behind the Badge and the Beliefs

For years, audiences have watched Ryan Guzman light up the screen as Eddie Diaz on the hit series 9-1-1. Week after week, he portrays a brave firefighter navigating emergencies, family, and identity. But off-camera, his most important role isn’t as a first responder—it’s as a father.

And recently, he shared something deeply personal.

He doesn’t want his children to feel pressured to “do a certain thing” just to prove they honor their Mexican-American culture.

That statement might sound simple. But in a world where identity is often performative and culture can feel like a checklist, it carries real weight.

Let’s unpack what this means—and why so many parents are listening.

A Cultural Conversation That Hits Home

Growing Up Between Two Worlds

Being Mexican-American often means walking a line between two identities. You grow up with family traditions, language, food, and values rooted in Mexico, while also navigating mainstream American culture.

For many kids, that duality can feel empowering.

For others, it can feel like pressure.

Do you speak Spanish fluently?
Do you celebrate every tradition?
Do you look “Mexican enough”?

These questions can quietly shape a child’s sense of belonging.

Ryan Guzman understands that tension firsthand.

Fame, Family, and Finding Balance

Life Beyond the Spotlight

While many know him from the popular drama series 9-1-1, which originally aired on Fox Broadcasting Company, his off-screen life is far more grounded. At home, he’s focused on raising children who feel secure in who they are—not pressured by expectations.

And that’s where his parenting philosophy stands out.

He believes culture should be embraced, not enforced.

Why “Proving” Your Culture Can Be Harmful

The Pressure to Perform Identity

Let’s be honest: in today’s social media-driven world, culture sometimes becomes a performance.

People post about traditions.
They showcase language skills.
They amplify their heritage in visible ways.

And while there’s nothing wrong with celebrating identity publicly, it can unintentionally create a silent rulebook.

“If you don’t do this, you’re not enough.”

Ryan Guzman doesn’t want that rulebook anywhere near his kids.

Culture Is Lived, Not Checked Off

Think about culture like music playing in the background of your life. It influences how you move, speak, love, and connect. But it doesn’t require a stage performance.

According to Guzman, honoring Mexican-American heritage doesn’t require a specific act, ritual, or public display. It’s about understanding where you come from—without feeling obligated to prove it.

And that distinction matters.

Parenting in the Modern Cultural Landscape

Raising Confident, Not Conditioned, Children

Parenting today is complicated. Add cultural expectations into the mix, and it becomes even more layered.

Many immigrant or multicultural families carry generational hopes:

• Keep the language alive.

• Continue the traditions.

• Stay connected to your roots.

Those are beautiful intentions.

But when they turn into pressure, children may feel boxed in.

Guzman’s approach? Let his kids discover their identity naturally.

Giving Kids Ownership of Their Identity

When children feel ownership over their culture, they’re more likely to embrace it authentically.

Forced identity feels heavy.
Chosen identity feels empowering.

That’s the subtle but powerful shift he’s advocating for.

The Eddie Diaz Parallel

Interestingly, fans of 9-1-1 have seen similar themes play out through his character, Eddie Diaz. Eddie’s storyline often explores fatherhood, generational expectations, and emotional vulnerability.

Art imitates life.

Or maybe life influences art.

Either way, the overlap is striking.

What Honoring Culture Really Means

It’s About Values, Not Visibility

You don’t have to wave a flag every day to love your heritage.

Culture shows up in:

• The way you treat family

• The respect you show elders

• The food you cook on holidays

• The stories you pass down

It’s woven into daily life.

Ryan Guzman’s message is clear: his children don’t need to perform a ritual or meet an external standard to validate their identity.

Breaking Generational Expectations

Every generation has the opportunity to shift something.

Some break financial cycles.
Others break emotional patterns.

In this case, Guzman seems intent on breaking the cycle of cultural obligation.

Not to erase tradition—but to remove pressure.

That’s not rejection.

That’s evolution.

Mexican-American Identity in 2026: A New Era

Redefining What Belonging Looks Like

Today’s Mexican-American youth are redefining identity on their own terms.

They blend languages.
They remix traditions.
They create new cultural expressions.

Identity is no longer rigid.

It’s fluid. Layered. Personal.

And parents who recognize that shift give their children space to breathe.

The Power of Choice

Choice changes everything.

When kids choose to learn Spanish, it feels meaningful.
When they choose to celebrate Día de los Muertos, it feels joyful.
When they choose to explore their roots, it feels authentic.

That’s the difference between pressure and pride.

Why This Message Resonates With So Many Parents

The Universal Fear of “Not Doing Enough”

Many parents worry:

“Am I teaching them enough about our culture?”
“Will they forget where they come from?”
“Will they lose their connection?”

These fears are valid.

But Guzman’s stance suggests something powerful: culture isn’t so fragile that it disappears without constant enforcement.

It lives in you.

And if you create a loving environment, your children will naturally gravitate toward understanding their roots.

Letting Identity Grow Organically

Think of culture like a garden.

You plant seeds—stories, traditions, language.
You water them—through exposure and experience.
But you don’t yank the leaves to make them grow faster.

Identity develops in its own time.

The Role of Representation in Media

Visibility Matters—But So Does Nuance

As a Mexican-American actor in a primetime drama, Guzman contributes to representation in mainstream television.

That visibility is important.

But off-screen, his philosophy adds nuance. Representation isn’t just about appearing on screen. It’s about living your truth without forcing it into a mold.

A New Blueprint for Cultural Pride

The old blueprint said:

Honor culture by following specific traditions.

The new blueprint says:

Honor culture by understanding it—and then living it in a way that feels true to you.

That shift is subtle. But revolutionary.

Teaching Heritage Without Pressure

Practical Ways Parents Can Embrace This Mindset

You might be wondering: How does this actually work in real life?

Here are a few approaches aligned with Guzman’s philosophy:

• Share stories instead of issuing rules

• Invite participation rather than demand it

• Celebrate curiosity instead of correcting identity

• Model pride without policing behavior

It’s about guidance—not governance.

Creating Safe Spaces for Questions

Kids will ask:

“Am I Mexican enough?”
“Why don’t I speak Spanish like Grandma?”
“Do I have to do this?”

Instead of reacting defensively, parents can respond with reassurance.

“You are enough exactly as you are.”

That affirmation shapes lifelong confidence.

Why This Conversation Matters Now More Than Ever

Identity in the Age of Social Media

Social media amplifies everything—including cultural expectations.

Young people constantly compare themselves to curated versions of identity.

In that environment, the idea that you don’t have to “prove” your culture is liberating.

It reduces anxiety.

It builds self-trust.

And it encourages authenticity over performance.

The Bigger Picture: Raising Grounded Kids

Confidence Over Conformity

At the heart of Guzman’s perspective is something universal: he wants his children to grow up secure.

Not insecure.
Not pressured.
Not boxed in.

Secure.

And when kids feel secure, they naturally explore their heritage with curiosity—not fear.

Conclusion: Culture as a Gift, Not a Requirement

Ryan Guzman’s stance isn’t about distancing his children from their Mexican-American roots. It’s about reframing how those roots are honored.

Culture should feel like a gift you unwrap—not a test you have to pass.

By removing the pressure to “do a certain thing,” he’s offering his children something powerful:

Freedom.

Freedom to explore.
Freedom to define.
Freedom to belong without proving anything.

In a world obsessed with labels and performance, that might be the most radical parenting move of all.