In Argentina, the figure of the seventh son is surrounded by myths and superstitions. However, there is an unusual national law that has turned this tradition into a State policy. President Javier Milei wanted to eliminate it, but Congress rejected the initiative.
This is the Presidential Godparenthood, which requires the sitting president to become the godfather of every seventh son born in the country. It is a mix of history, popular beliefs, and tangible benefits.
The origin: superstitions and European tradition
The idea of the lobizón comes from Guaraní culture, which described a being that was half human and half beast, condemned to feed on corpses. That superstition merged with another tradition that arrived from Eastern Europe.
In Russia, the tsars became godfathers to the seventh son to prevent him from being abandoned, since it was believed he could turn into a werewolf. This custom arrived in Argentina with immigrants. But the most ridiculous thing is that consensus was reached to turn it into law.
Milei wanted to repeal this useless law with the Hojarasca Law. The bill created by Federico Sturzenegger was sent to Congress in 2024, although it didn't achieve the necessary consensus to be enacted.
