In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

  • Mexico: Support and Altruism
  • Erika L. Sanchez (bio)

Adapted from a conversation with Ritikaa Iyer

Growing up, I resented much about traditional Mexican culture. I was often irate about the gender inequality and patriarchy I witnessed in the majority-Mexican town in Illinois where I was raised. The women cooked all day, and the men ate the food. Women were often mistreated and objectified by the men in our culture and society as a whole, and it was confusing to watch strong women endure this. It was hard for me to see beyond the inequity, and instead of rejecting these parts of my culture, I moved away from it.

Only when I was older did I begin to understand the beauty in my culture. My community was family-oriented, and there was always a support system if anyone needed help, emotionally or financially. Whenever I returned to Mexico, where my family is very poor, my relatives would always take the time to feed those even poorer. My family still found the means to help others, even if they had little themselves. My mother and aunts and other women in the U.S. comforted each other and relied on female relatives for child care. This has become rare, and I hope future generations retain these values of support and altruism.

I find it ironic, however, that in a community where family responsibility and generosity are held in high regard, there is a line where that support ends. Sex, for example, was not something we spoke about. Young women who became pregnant were castigated as ‘dirty’ for engaging in sexual acts; there was a stigma, and I think it’s important to provide information, to help and not judge. I had my own education through Loveline, a radio show I listened to late at night, and that’s not an ideal way to learn about sex. But even on this subject, my older brother tried to assist me. When he was in college in central Illinois and I was in high school, he would share with me the feminist texts he was reading, by writers such as Adrienne Rich. That was valuable.

My parents’ views on social issues have shifted over the years, and today my family would not care if I wanted to educate my children on sex. When we speak about retaining traditional family values, it’s important to remember that the world changes and our ideals evolve. Family values like generosity and aiding others will adapt with each generation, for better and for worse.

Erika L. Sanchez

ERIKA L. SANCHEZ is a poet, essayist, and novelist and the daughter of Mexican immigrant parents. Her debut poetry collection, “Lessons on Expulsion,” was published in July. Sanchez spoke with World Policy Journal editorial assistant Ritikaa Iyer.

...

pdf

Share