The Maid's Daughter - Introduction

As we approach our third book/study, the class begins to understand and breakdown the qualitative research structure. Professor Casso, through the previous 2 books, has shown us different ways to amass data and information. Each of the authors of the books we read, chose something they wanted to study and bring it into the academic world. We the class are doing the same with our research projects. We have various techniques and methods learned from the last 2 books. Now it’s time to apply them!

We begin with the introduction to The Maid’s Daughter, by Mary Romero. Romero opens the book with her research methodology and design. While touring for her previous book Maid in America, she meets a young woman named Olivia. Olivia tells Romero that she is a maid’s daughter. This begins a sociological relationship for the next 20+ years. Romero goes on to tell Olivia’s story. This is the story of a hardworking, Mexican immigrant mother with drive, and a US born daughter with privilege, embracing her dual-cultural upbringing. Romero speaks of the often rags-to-riches stories, like Olivia’s upbringing. Immigrant child grows up in poverty and is motivated to break the cycle (Functionalism). Olivia’s story is not that simple, and we will see through a sociological lens (Romero) how Olivia uses her dual-cultural upbringing to become the best and truest version of herself that she can become, eventually becoming a Chicana activist.