Families play a crucial role in the survival or decline of the Nahuatl language. Language is often first learned at home, where children are   exposed to the language everyday through family interactions. However, many families stop using Nahuatl with younger generations causing the children to grow up without speaking Nahuatl and not fully understanding the language.

Many parents make this decision because they believe Spanish offers better opportunities worldwide compared to an indigenous language. As a result, Nahuatl may be viewed as less "useful," leading families to prioritize Spanish in order to support their children's future success.

Over time, Spanish became associated with success in Mexico, compared to an indigenous language like Nahuatl which was seen as less valuable in modern society. As a result, families often prioritize Spanish in order to help support their children's future.

Social pressures also play a significant role in these choices. Some parents fear that their children may face discrimination, exclusion, or limited opportunities by speaking an indigenous language. Because of this, families often are discouraged from using Nahuatl, contributing to its decline across generations. This demonstrates how social pressures also weaken intergenerational transmission and contribute to Nahuatls decline over time.