Women in Latina America During 1950s free essay sample

From their Native American ancestors, they inherited the belief that women are wise and powerful offering their unique and valuable contributions to society. However, at the same time they were expected to follow the Spanish tradition of feminine submission to the strong male. Their strengths were both honored and respected- and denied and unaccepted. Latin American women had to fulfill certain roles. They were supposed to be a caring mother, diligent homemaker and obedient wife. Moreover, women were expected stay at home, bear children, and maintain the house. They were expected to clean and cook to make sure everything was sufficient when their husband came home from work. We can see this in Chronicle of a Death Foretold when Mercedes ,(the narrator’s wife) says that â€Å"the girls had been reared to screen embroidery, sew by machine, weave bone lace, wash and iron, make artificial flowers and fancy candy, and write engagement announcements (Marquez 31). We will write a custom essay sample on Women in Latina America During 1950s or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Women also needed to take responsibilities when it came to their children such as educating them. They were not allowed to participate in the work force as their husbands did. Machismo played significant role in the Latin American society. It was brought to Latin American by Spanish conquerors. It is considered a strong or exaggerated sense of manliness; and assumptive attitude that virility, courage, strength and entitlement to dominate are attributes of masculinity. Machismo was also portrayed in the novel The Chronicle of a Death Foretold such as when â€Å"Pedro Vicario asked to borrow her husband’s shaving implements, and she brought him the brush, the soap, the hanging mirror, and the safety razor with a new blade, but he shaved with his butcher knife. Clotilde Armenta thought that was the height of machismo† (Marquez 63). Clotilde thought that shaving with a razor was manly representing machismo. This ritual is known to be performed by many men throughout history and because it is one of the few activities that is completely and exclusively male. Machismo is also portrayed in the novel when the men take pride in visiting Maria Clotilde’s brothel, where they use women for sex. They are not ashamed of their actions because their society endorses it. Additionally, machismo can be seen when the Vicario brothers kill Santiago because it was an attempt to take back Angela’s honor by killing the man who deflowered her. Marriage was very important in the Latin culture. Women were expected to be virgins when they got married. Virginity was considered very sacred because it was supposed to be saved for the man you truly love (your husband). â€Å"On the other hand, the fact that Angela Vicario dared put on the veil and the orange blossoms without being a virgin would be interpreted afterwards as a profanation of the symbols of purity† (Marquez 41). Angela represents that being a virgin was very disgraceful; hence the fact that she was returned to her parents after her husband found out that she was deflowered. Divorce was also looked down upon because the woman and man should have taken the time to know each other well before they got married. Women were granted freedom after the feminist movement where women took on jobs outside the home to help support their families. Feminists demanded equality for women; they insisted that women were as capable as men; and they tried to raise the consciousness of men and women. The movement grew and spread through the sixties and into the seventies. Latin American women today are no longer powerless. They are taking charge working, while being able to take on children and all the responsibilities of home life. A great example of a strong woman would be Gwen Estefan who went from being a Cuban refugee to having a $170 million fortune. Her concerts are contemporary and professional but still demonstrate Hispanic family values. Additionally, many families today depend on the income of both the husband and wife in order to make ends meet. â€Å"Women leave their homes for many different kinds of jobs and they experience more freedom and financial independence† (Sanna 72). Today a macho man is one who supports his family against all odds, and who disciplines his children to be honest and hard-working. It is a key factor in shaping a healthy family, and it’s a source of discipline that teaches children courtesy and high moral standards. The Latino interpretation of a macho man is one who is fervent, confident, energetic, physically strong, assertive, determined and passionate. In conclusion, Latina women are just as powerful and capable of doing the things that their husbands do; however in the 1950’s it was very different. They were expected to stay at home, bear children, and maintain the house. But as we see the evolution of society, it is proven that women and men have equal rights.