Narratives of Mexican American Women - Ch. 2 (Re)creating Mexico

Chapter 2 entitled (Re)creating Mexico, explores the immigrants' experiences in recreating feelings of their country of origin (Mexico), in their newly adopted country (US). The immigrants are trying to recreate a feeling or vibe of what they left behind. One way of accomplishing this if finding a support group of Latino community. Spanish can still be used, and their little communities or enclaves are established. This help bring a feeling of familiarity in a new, and foreign land.

Other issues between the 1st and 2nd generation parents and their daughters include the parents wanting their daughters to grow up with pride for their Mexicanidad or interest in their heritage and culture. This can be difficult for the 2nd generation as their parents want them to retain their culture, yet fit into a new one, as a means of social mobility. It is necessary for their daughters to assimilate and adapt, as survival for the whole family. While the parents romanticize the Mexico they grew up in, their daughters don’t always have such the same feelings when they visit Mexico. Often, they are made fun of for their broken Spanish or American accent, and it’s hard to compare their lives in America to the lives their families lead in Mexico. While the parents fantasize about one day returning to Mexico, usually the money or opportunity given them in the US, can’t be matched with that of Mexico’s.

Gender roles are also looked at. The matriarchs of the family could be criticized by their husbands or relatives for not behaving the way they once did in Mexico. Perhaps they are not so submissive or traditional in the role of housewife, because circumstances in the US have led the mothers to seek work outside of the house. Just as the daughters have to adapt to American society, many times their mothers have to as well. The mothers supplemented what the traditional role of head of household (fathers) may not be bringing in.

While things will never be the same for 1st generation immigrants, they may choose to take the view that new memories may be created in the US, as well as doing so in re-visiting Mexico with their daughters.