Comparison of Gender Relations in Hispanic and African American Families

I chose the topic exploring gender relations in Hispanic and African American families because all these are determining factors of inequality that results from exploitation. It is essential to understand the implications of these undertakings as their importance is crucial contributing to history and social perspectives. Gender, race and class inequality within the United States develop and change according to the accumulation of capital. Overall, these factors change in response to the collective actions of various gender interests, race, and class. Between the years 1776 to 1929, there was a rise and fall in gender, race and class inequality. During the Antebellum economy, gender and race were powerful determinants in political interests and building of economic relations. That changed over time, however, when there emerged a challenge of the white male capitalist.

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The above topic is relevant to understand how this set of relationships affect other relationships as well. For example, the stereotyping of African American women can change the way that they view themselves or the different educational experiences that students undergo as a result of gender differences. Movements such as the great black lives matter propel the necessity for reforms in various sectors such as immigration, minimum wage, and reproductive justice and so on (Andersen, & Collins, 2015).There is urgent need to have a conversation on how the different gender roles in Hispanic and African- American families impact various sectors, including the economy and the steps that need to be undertaken to resolve the situation.

To further explore this, this paper examines the start of the feminist theory in the United States and the different definitions it has had over the decades. The feminists in the United States that initiated the movement spoke against oppression and fought for the rights of women. However, this 'woman' the fought for was only a small percentage who were middle-class, well educated and consisted almost exclusively of white folk. The representation of women experiences by the white middle-class women continued to define 'ideal womanhood.' Soon, a lot of women found themselves trapped in white picket fences while they chased after feminine fulfillment through motherhood, domesticity, and marriage. Betty Friedan recognized the frustrations these women bore but did not discover that it affected women like herself who were white, of the middle-class and well educated.

The gap was a result of dismissing the fact that the assumed gender divisions- the man being the breadwinner and the woman the bread maker were centralized on a patriarchal racialization which excluded immigrants, poor and most of all, women of color. These women of color were the ones that were required to leave their homes to care for the homes of white women that had liberated themselves from traditional gender roles and voluntarily penetrated the workforce. The idea of sameness in the oppression of women, therefore, became a false representation that erased the different and compound social realities which were the true nature of women. For the women of color, however, lives were surrounded by the contention of multiple kinds of oppression which sadly, included abuse by white women by failure to acknowledge the different struggles of women different from them.

The Hispanic people are those that identify as Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban or of Puerto Rican culture (Bell, 2009). According to census records, these Hispanic Americans make up a vast community, standing at 33% (Perry and Porter, 2009). Of this percentage, there is a minority of individuals of Latin origin at 14.4%. They, however, have an identical cultural and belief system differing according to their places of origin only when it comes to the kind of foods, traditions they practice or languages. Majority of people descended from the Hispanics are Catholic because faith is a vital source of strength in their culture. Similarly, the family is equally important. The large percentages of Hispanic families have male domination. They are also very tightly knit. Family members who are more advanced in age hold a prominent status as they are viewed as being more experienced. Other members come to them seeking advice. When important decisions are to be made primarily concerning the family, the males, more so the elder ones, fulfill this role. The men are the head of the families. Often, elders are sought to offer comfort, a platform of support and advice where another member of the family requires it. As Raffaelli (2004) states, there are different roles for men and women as provided for in marianismo and machismo.

According to the guideline, machismo represents a man who should be independent, dominant and virile. Marianismo, on the other hand, represents a female who should be dependent, chaste and submissive. Traditionally, the man is the breadwinner in the family. The woman has more domesticated roles, in particular, raising the children. They are also tasked with taking care of the elderly as well. There is specific emphasis on familismo, which refers to the relationships within the family and a substantial value placed on bearing children which is a central part of family life.Again, there is particular emphasis on the importance of children, familial obligations, the community at large and the essence of the old generations and the ones to come.There are religious shrines that are put up in dedication to the dead.

Although some research indicates that these roles are somewhat outdated, they still hold significant influence over Hispanic couples about behavior and social interactions. The skin color, nativity, fluency in the language, sex and race are vast determinants of Hispanic employment rates and earnings as well. Men mostly occupy job positions in agricultural or manufacturing industries that have low pay. Jobs for the women include being nannies, working in the hospitality industry or choosing administrative jobs. In general, education level indicates the kind of job an individual may obtain with low education levels resulting in menial jobs and the worst case, unemployment. In American history, women in the workplace had no right to vote, to receive education or work outside their homes- unless the services involved care-giving. Other deterrents to women in the workplace in recent times include the affluence of sexual discrimination (Bell, 2009). Despite the fact that women have a higher education, they get a lower pay to offset the many financial responsibilities they have.

Even with the civil advancement, and that women can now compete for male-dominated jobs, men are still perceived as the providers. They are expected to work more as they grow, settle and start a family. The female gender is always associated as caretakers. For women, having kids leads to the expectation of fewer working hours outside the home (Bell, 2009). These gender stereotypes continue to plague the society.

There are striking differences in the functioning contemporary African -American familial structures from the ancient ones. African-American homes originate from the birth of a child as opposed to marriage. Only 36% of African-American children live with both of their parents while 56% are born in families where the dad is not the biological father. Reports show that women head most of the families formed by unmarried parents. According to conducted research, single women who live with their children are faced with decreased prospects for marriage and spend a lifetime as eligible caregivers to their children and grand-children (DePasquale, Polenick, Davis, Moen, Hammer, & Almeida, 2017). African-American families place a large value on the strength of marriages and family life in general. However, this has significantly reduced over the years.

Population statistics show the number of African- American females outnumber the one for men. The percentage is even more substantial for the men that are facing unemployment, those involved in drug abuse and the mentally ill. As such, fewer African American women consider them as suitable marriage partners. The determinants of the high singlehood rates for African Americans depend on class and gender among others. Studies show that single the African American women have been in the workforce for a more extended period; their earnings are equal to earnings of the African American men. As a result, African- American ladies do not feel the need to marry in the name of economic support (Figlio, Karbownik, Roth, & Wasserman, 2016).

Familial structures have the responsibility to provide care, socialize and nurture children that are dependent. It is also a pedestal upon which social relationships come about that alienates people from loneliness. In African American families, there's a responsibility to help other members cope with the unexpected adverse life situations. The extended family keeps the family members connected and reinforces familial ties (Friedemann, & Buckwalter, 2014).The support that other family members give to single mothers regarding money, time and emotional support enriches those households. Most African American families are illustrated as extended rather than nuclear. In African American families, men adapt more easily to gender roles and have a diverse array of household chores and responsibilities for the care of children than as compared to other groups (Friedemann, 2014). African American families are stricter and have high standards of behavior and use physical means to enforce these standards. Grandparents are also involved in support of African American families. It is especially evident by support for children and mothers on parenthood. Their support, however, is reciprocated when they are attended to at old age.

Role strain refers to a framework that describes the social and individual strategies people use to reduce inequalities (Bowman, 2006). The theory highlights the perceived attitudes, gender traditions, and roles are influenced by both local and nation-wide norms, in spite of ethnic or racial lines. Social and cultural norms should thus be mainstreamed to accept and support the roles of each gender in the family set up.

More opportunities should be offered to African American and Hispanic families as pertains to education and employment. Stereotypes concerning feminine or masculine jobs should be shed to include everyone as a contributor to the economy in the capacity they choose (Figlio et al. 2016). High schools, institutions of higher learning and African American parents should expect more in a bid to bridge the gender gap in education levels. It will impact them positively because their attitudes are proportionate to academic behavior.

References

Andersen, M., & Collins, P. H. (2015). Race, class, & gender: An anthology. Nelson Education.Bowman PJ. Research perspectives on Black men: Role strain and adaptation across the adult life cycle. In: Jones RL, editor. Black Adult Development and Aging. Berkeley, CA: Cobb & Henry Publishers; 1989. Pp. 117-150.

DePasquale, N., Polenick, C. A., Davis, K. D., Moen, P., Hammer, L. B., & Almeida, D. M. (2017). The psychosocial implications of managing work and family caregiving roles: Gender differences among information technology professionals. Journal of family issues, 38(11), 1495-1519.

Figlio, D., Karbownik, K., Roth, J., & Wasserman, M. (2016). Family disadvantage and the gender gap in behavioral and educational outcomes (No. w22267). National Bureau of Economic Research.

Friedemann, M. L., & Buckwalter, K. C. (2014). Family caregiver role and burden related to gender and family relationships. Journal of family nur...