User:Genderandlatino/sandbox

[Gender and Latino Migration]

Gender and Latino migration is the study that intersects two fields, gender and migration, but primarily focuses on the effects of Latinos. In this section we are primarily discussing the migration of Latino in to the United States. Of course, Latinos are subject of migration in other parts of the world. However, this section specifically deals with the transnational relationship between Latin America and the United States.

[Transnational Motherhood]

The article "I'm here, but I'm there" informs readers about immigrant mothers and the meaning of transnational migration in terms of motherhood. When the author writes about transnational motherhood it is referred to women who reside in the United States, specifically Los Angeles working in low opportunity jobs such as nannies or housekeepers, while their children remain in their home countries. The children usually remain under the care of grandmothers, their fathers or in some cases, paid caregivers. Because of the physical distance between their children, these women have to look for ways to transform their motherhood status, providing food and money from a distance. Additionally, transnational motherhood also refers not only to the physical migration of these mothers or the financial support they can offer from across borders, but also how they manage to show or give affection and care in a way that shows a gendered view of immigration. The life these mothers live in the United States is one that is very different from the one in their home country. Usually these women work in cities or suburbs where they are exposed to a different demographic which therefore transforms some of their homeland views. They must settle into this new way of living, one might add "the American way" of living, where they are sometimes more involved in the child's life than their own parents, by for example, being a part of parent-teacher association, or going to church with the children, ironically something they cannot do with their own kids. Although these women are taken away the possibility of raising their own children, and raise someone else's, they migrate to the United States because they can offer better financial support and better opportunities that they otherwise would not have had if they decided to stay in their homeland.

[Men and Machismo]

Machismo is a phenomena that is reflective of the patriarchy system that runs Latin America. Machismo is something that transcends borders as it has become linked to the culture of Latin America and Latino men. Machismo is both a theory of thought and character in which the individual is led by machismo but then it can also be an action in which the individual is acting macho. Machismo is something that heavily influences and keeps gender norms in Latin American culture, in which being a macho can be seen as being both good and bad representations of men. The bad meaning it unveils the patriarchy at its fullest with a man who is aggressive and tries to rule over everyone. The good however displays the ideal role of a man, to be a good representation of a macho one is a man who risks himself for others. However, ultimately a macho is a real man in which fosters the representation of the male norm.

[Mexican Machismo Linked to the United States]

Macho and machismo however is not solely seen in Latin American culture alone, it's also seen as a parallel to American cowboy culture. The cowboy culture and the notion of a Latino macho can be seen as a link from one another, as the cowboy culture coming out of the preexisting macho culture. However. both are able to be examined to parallel the exaggeration of male culture. As well as the culture of the south in which become a representation of a way a man should act. A Cowboy just like a macho, a real man who is a soldier or a protector, are parallel with one another through the ability to carry with them weapons to display their role. A cowboy is often linked with a pistol much like a real macho who often times is a soldier and/or vacquero. Both a macho and a cowboy stem from moments of nationalism in the United States and Mexico. The creation of macho and the cowboy therefore become the symbol of power and unity to their country during moments of revolution and victory. Which is why machismo and macho attitude in the cowboy is linked to an attitude, a sense of feeling that ultimately is how macho and machismo is acted upon.