Narratives of Mexican American Women - Ch.4 Confronting and Contesting Patriarchal Constraints

Ch. 4 looks at the respondents contesting and confronting patriarchal constraints. Issues faced by the 2nd generation include their parents not understanding why their daughters would want to live on college campus. Parents try cope with these new “Americanized” customs, but don’t grasp that their daughters seek freedom in navigating their new lives. Often, the women would use schoolwork as an excuse to not come home for the weekend.

Another issue the respondents faced was the support of their fathers wanting them to succeed and become professional, but still be traditional marriage material. This idea seems to contradict itself, and the women retaliate through breaking tradition. Their fathers tend to have the machismo personality so often seen back home in Mexico. Also, the respondents' behavior reflects back on their families, so if they disappoint in any way, it tarnishes not only their reputation, but their family.

While 1st generation immigrant mothers kept their traditional gender roles at first, they began to adapt and become malleable to their daughters needs, while working around the demanding fathers. Daughters begin to question the fact that their mothers work double duty or 2nd shift, outside of the home and within. 1st generation mothers’ identities begin to shift in their new country. Even though women brought more money into the home, patriarchal norms were not broken, just worked around. Mothers and daughter find ways to work through gender conflict. Their mothers are understanding of their daughter’s new struggle. Gender roles are socially constructed, but can be de-constructed. They don’t have to always be so traditional.