Class

Article

College

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department

English Department

Faculty Mentor

Crescencio López González

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

The life of an immigrant is challenging and characterized by trauma, experienced from the political, economic, and/or violent turmoil that compelled them to leave their homelands and the discrimination, cultural shock, and other physical or emotional obstacles that they experience in their new home. Many Latin American authors utilize their writing to share their personal experiences as immigrants of first or second generation in the United States, as well as express the trauma that is shared between them and their families. As the multi-generational dynamic of gender roles and trauma in the immigrant family is analyzed, a recurring theme of generational gaps between mother and daughter is manifest. This research analyzes the generational gap that exists in mother-daughter relationships within the Latin American immigrant family as expressed in Latin American literary works such as Dominicana by Angie Cruz, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez, and Real Women Have Curves by Josefina López. Furthermore, this research explores howdifferences in gender expectations and traumatic experiences drive that gap, as well as how acceptance and recognition of one another’s traumas helps to repair these relationships.

Location

Logan, UT

Start Date

4-8-2022 12:00 AM

Share

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Apr 8th, 12:00 AM

Mother-Daughter Relationships in Latin American Immigrant Households

Logan, UT

The life of an immigrant is challenging and characterized by trauma, experienced from the political, economic, and/or violent turmoil that compelled them to leave their homelands and the discrimination, cultural shock, and other physical or emotional obstacles that they experience in their new home. Many Latin American authors utilize their writing to share their personal experiences as immigrants of first or second generation in the United States, as well as express the trauma that is shared between them and their families. As the multi-generational dynamic of gender roles and trauma in the immigrant family is analyzed, a recurring theme of generational gaps between mother and daughter is manifest. This research analyzes the generational gap that exists in mother-daughter relationships within the Latin American immigrant family as expressed in Latin American literary works such as Dominicana by Angie Cruz, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez, and Real Women Have Curves by Josefina López. Furthermore, this research explores howdifferences in gender expectations and traumatic experiences drive that gap, as well as how acceptance and recognition of one another’s traumas helps to repair these relationships.