Beyond Home-Host Dichotomies: A Comparative Examination of Gender Relations in a Transnational Mexican Community

Abstract

Based on a qualitative study with women from a transnational Mexican community, the authors examine how women's perceptions of gender empowerment, adherence and practice of gender ideals, and the household division of labor vary across generations and borders. Generally, immigration scholars suggest that employment and immigration experiences empower women and create greater gender equality among families. This study problematizes these assumptions because they are based on home-host dichotomies, which suggest that “home” countries are the sites of patriarchal oppression, whereas “host” societies offer women greater equality and freedom from patriarchy. This study finds that women in the United States report higher levels of familial authority than women in Mexico but experience a greater burden with household chores and wage labor. This study also finds that although women in Mexico and older generations of women across borders discursively uphold ideas of male dominance, there are gaps between gender ideals and practices.