Gender Structures among Recent Latino Immigrant Women: The Case of Durham, NC

Emilio A. Parrado, Duke University
Chenoa A. Flippen, Duke University
Chris McQuiston, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Immigrants notions about gender from their communities of origin may contradict prevalent conceptions in receiving communities. The social and cultural processes that determine gender norms and expectations during the process of migration remain poorly understood. This paper uses data from an ethnosexual survey to examine how the structures of labor, power, and cathexis depend on women’s migration history, time in U.S., and differences in context of reception, including family and social networks and connections with local organizations. Results show that migration does indeed affect gender structures facilitating women’s incorporation into the labor market and empowering them vis a vis men with respect to household responsibilities and decision making. However, qualitative analysis shows that this transition is not smooth or without tensions. In-depth interviews show that it is difficult for migrants to distinguish between changes that are positive and empower women from alterations that might lead to “libertinaje” (licentiousness) or decadence.