Mexican American women were influenced by various components. Chaperonage refers to the traditional instrument of social control in the United States. Chaperonage existed for many years on the border separating the United States and Mexico. The concept is understood as an indicator of familial oligarchy. The elders in society took a leading role in dictating the life of the young generation (Ruiz 145). Chaperonage referred to the symbolic and actual assertion of familial oligarchy. The Mexican women coming of age in the 1920s and 1930s challenged the authority of the elders in society.
Young Mexican-Americans in the United States reacted to chaperonage in various ways. Notably, the cultural practice triggered tremendous tension over self-determination and autonomy. Young Mexican-American women resisted the cultural practice and focused on the sense of freedom and independence. In fact, women used various strategies to overcome the challenges that were attributed to chaperonage. They worked on achieving their freedom as the young generation. The young women became rebellious to the ideologies and parenting forces. The women started fighting for freedom through their lifestyle and dress code. The young women went to an extent of renting apartments to attain their independence. They navigated from the culture and moved along with their parents, but lived different lifestyles outside their parental premises. Women worked on their beauty and focused on the makeup.
According to Ruiz, chaperonage is the manifestation of familial oligarchy. Ruiz refers to the family setup whereby parents take absolute control of the activities of their children. The focus of the parents in dictating the activities is to ensure that family respect and honor is achieved. Elders ensure that the behavior and activities of children are streamlined towards family honor (Ruiz 145). For example, purity of women determines the respect that a family is accorded in society. The primary means is the way elders achieved control through the traditional practice. Also, Ruiz meant that chaperonage is a form of command among the Mexican-American families whereby power rests on parents and elders. The elders tend to be distinguished by family ties. In this case, the elders enjoy a power structure whereby they enjoy all powers and decisions. Ruiz meant that the elders among the African-Americans influenced the entire generations by ensuring that the youth and children follow a specific way of life. In a critical analysis, familial oligarchy is a situation whereby the elders take control of family issues. The power influences the lifestyle and activities of the one generation to another.
Chaperonage existed for many centuries. During the 1920s and 1930s, chaperonage had new significance in the United States. During this period tremendous changes were taking place in the United States. The cultural dynamics began to change the way of life, especially women way of life. The young generation of women began to influence the way of life. Flappers were a major general of women that created much significance. Flappers referred to young women who were identified by flouting social norms, excessive makeup, wore short skirts, listened to jazz music and bobbed their hair. Also, chaperonage was significant because young women tresses became a debatable issue spanning ethnic, class and region lines. Young women began to focus on personal grooming. Also, women roles were redefined in the United States, and women became part of employees in industries. Women traditional roles were redefined and challenged by the new generation of young women. Women embraced personal choices and consumerism and discarded right way of life that was controlled by elders.
Works cited
Ruiz, Vicki. From out of the Shadows: Mexican Women in Twentieth-Century America. New York [u.a.: New York Univ. Press, 1998. Print.
