Chrissy’s project: “Machismo in Rural Mexico: Opinions and Actions of Men and Women.”

The project was based on the premise that there are more differences among men and among women than there are between men and women. She set out to discover whether machismo had indeed been discarded for more enlightened viewpoints. Her interviews sought to examine both the practices of men and women in regard to gender roles and also to understand how men and women conceptualized those roles. She also had ample opportunity to observe gender roles at work and expressions or absence of machismo. Of interest are the changing roles of men and women in this community. Given the crisis in the countryside, many men are forced to migrate for wage labor, while foreign companies are now hiring predominantly women to pick blackberries. Thus agriculture is becoming feminized; women are paid less than men, and yet they are now earning wages, which they were unable to do while in their traditional, home-bound roles.

Chrissy and Aaron hand-washing clothes in the pila.

Chrissy’s Testimony:

“Being in another country for four months is an eye-opening experience, especially for an anthropology student. Living in Mexico meant learning a different language and a different set of customs. Learning a second language in a country where it is spoken is very challenging and immensely rewarding. The relationships that I built in Mexico with the family and with the other students I went on the trip with are priceless. I learned so much about gender in Mexico, it was difficult to focus on one topic. I did however discover that women are just recently joining the workforce and that is increasing their independence.”