Mexican-American Women

Mexican-American Women

Liberal democrat Gloria Molina, daughter of an immigrant Mexican farm worker of California, became the first Hispanic representative to be state assembly, first Hispanic representative to be state assembly, first Hispanic member of the Los Angeles city council, and first Hispanic candidate since 1875. In addition, she was the first woman ever to win seat on the powerful five-member Loa Angeles county board of supervisors. From that position, Molina keeps pressing for improved programs for minorities and Hispanics. (Time, Nov. 18, 91 pg. 73) As Molina, Many Hispanic women have struggled through their existence in order to better their lives. However, one may ignore these struggles because of the little credibility given to women. Simply stated, Chicanas have played an important role in this society while striking for survival and stability in their lives.

A starting point for evaluating the structure and function of Chicanas’ life style and social conditions is focusing on the roots of Chicanas. The Chicanos family structure generally stresses family ties, conformity, masculinity, and obedience. It emphasis on respect, the are brought up to respect their elders and the husband-father figure. They respect these individuals by following their orders, approaching them amiable, and never raising their voice at them. In addition, in this culture it is very important for them to be united and supportive because they see it as the only way to survive and aid the wealth of their people. They accomplish unity and support through cooperation and mutual aid; for example, relatives provide and comfort to one another in good and bad times.

Over more, this culture tend to be male oriental, which makes it difficult for women to be independent. The male is free to come and go as he pleases and demands for complete respect. He is the master of the household, while the woman is a self-scarifying and saintly figure. As a result, the man has complete authority over the woman. It is expected from the woman: to give birth; be warm and nurturing; attend to the needs of her husband and children; and obey the male’s orders. A man is usually free to work, go out with friends, drink, and act how he wants. However, the woman is not allowed to do much without the permission of the man.

Is this machismo matter fair? Fair or not, the Chicanas are usually accustomed with this tradition because they live it from childhood into womanhood. In their childhood they lived daily the acceptance of the mother doing everything around the house and the father going out to work. They idolized the father as the head-master since he brought in the money. Furthermore, most of these women were grown-up in poverty-stricken rural areas. They were usually raised in the barrio, faced with street violence, police indifferences, rip-offs from slumlords, and racism. The violence in the barrio streets was inescapable. As a result, many had almost no formal education, married early in life, and spend their working lives in low paying jobs.

In addition, many Chicanas came from a family were their fathers worked in factories or as seasonal farm workers. Meanwhile, their mothers also helped with the income of the family by doing housekeeping, ironing, and babysitting. Mothers had a double duty because they had to work outside and come back home to work some more. Daughters would usually help their mother’s with domestic chores in order to make it less fatigable for her. Yet, the father would go to work early in the morning and return late in the afternoon to lie on the couch and be served by the wife and daughter(s). Nevertheless, both incomes were never sufficient in the lives of these young girls, so they too had to work. They had to contribute with the family in order to support a roof were to live and food to eat.

I grew up in the Second Ward. It was a poor neighborhood. We used to live in the projects. Some Mexican Americans try to help each other; others are selfish. My mother used to