A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center highlights the complex challenges experienced by Latinas in the United States. The survey underscores the dual pressures these women face: the drive to succeed professionally while also conforming to traditional Hispanic gender roles, such as managing household responsibilities, starting families, and meeting certain beauty standards.
Jens Manuel Krogstad, a senior writer and editor at Pew, emphasized the unique cultural pressures Latinas encounter due to their immigrant backgrounds, which often come from family or societal expectations. For Flor Herrera, raised in a large Catholic Mexican American family in North Carolina, the pressure extends to ensuring financial stability to support her parents in their later years, alongside inquiries about her family plans.
At 33, Herrera, who serves as the executive director of Casa Azul de Wilson, a nonprofit she co-founded, grapples with the conflict between her career aspirations and the desire to start a family. This inner conflict is echoed by many Latinas, who struggle to discern between their innate desires and societal expectations.
The Pew survey reveals that approximately 63% of Latinas frequently experience family or work-related pressures, reflecting a broader trend within the demographic. With Latinas comprising 17% of the nation’s adult female population, and the majority having immigrant ties, there’s a clear indication of the unique challenges they face.
Estefany Londoño, a sociology graduate student in Florida, shared her experience of conforming to societal expectations, including dressing up for occasions like Mother’s Day to please her mother. Similarly, expectations regarding household chores and appearance weigh heavily on Latinas, with a significant percentage feeling pressure to cook, clean, and maintain beauty standards.
Despite these pressures, many Latinas, like Valerie Rodríguez from Puerto Rico, are choosing to prioritize personal and professional goals over traditional expectations. Rodríguez’s decision to delay starting a family until both she and her partner have established their careers reflects a growing trend among Latinas to challenge societal norms.
Nevertheless, Latinas like Irene Godinez and Beatriz Marquez continue to face the burden of representation in predominantly non-Latino workplaces. As Godinez leads her own civic engagement nonprofit and Marquez navigates the music industry, they strive to exceed expectations while combating stereotypes.
Despite the challenges, the survey indicates a prevailing sense of optimism among Latinas, with 86% expressing satisfaction with the direction of their lives. Many believe that progress has been made in the past decade, with expectations for further improvement in the years to come. Herrera acknowledges the strides made in breaking societal norms but recognizes the ongoing journey toward greater equality.
