Gender across family generations: change in Mexican American masculinities and femininities

Abstract

How do conceptions of gender – attitudes, expectations, and behaviours – change from generation to generation in Mexican American families? The notion of gender as socially constructed allows for the possibility of change, yet existing studies documenting change provide insight into why gender changes occur but do not sufficiently describe how this process happens. Based on interviews with three-generation Mexican American families in California, this article finds that reflection on natal family experiences and intergenerational family communication – autobiographical stories, lessons, and advice – are mechanisms that shift masculinity, femininity, and gender relations. Men use their natal family dynamics to rethink male dominance in favour of improved familial and romantic relationships whereas women consider their biographies and cross-generational advice to challenge patriarchy and become more educated and assertive. Families are crucibles of social change: reflection on natal family experiences and communication that crosscuts family generations actualise and initiate paradigm shifts about gender.

Keywords:

• family
• femininity
• gender
• migration
• masculinity
• Mexican American
• social change

Acknowledgements

For comments and suggestions I thank Christopher Wetzel, Natalia Sarkisian, Jocelyn Hollander, and the editors and anonymous reviewers of Identities. This project was funded by the University of California, Berkeley, University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States (UC MEXUS), University of Kansas, Ford Foundation, and Russell Sage Foundation. Audiences at the University of Kansas and annual meetings of the American Sociological Association and the Pacific Sociological Association provided useful feedback.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jessica M. Vasquez

JESSICA M. VASQUEZ is Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Oregon.