The Effect of Cultural and Traditional Customs on Mexican and Mexican-American Women’s Development of Identity in the Bay Area

Abstract

An individual’s culture, regardless of their geographical origin, is a vital component of the initial perspective they formulate of their environment. Customs and beliefs are knowingly and unknowingly passed down to descendants, allowing for such behaviors and points of view to live on after their practitioners are long gone. This is a particularly prominent trend in Mexican heritage when taking its conservative reputation into consideration especially its customs regarding gender roles. In terms of gender roles, machismo is a vital component that dictates much of the expectations placed on both the men and women of the culture. When immigration is added into the mix, however, the possibility of there being space for change becomes possible when exposed to a new culture and a new country. With this possibility for change, conflict can arise when the change goes against the norm.