Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Mexican studies'

Over the last several decades, Mexican origin immigrants have dispersed across the United States (Massey, Durand and Malone 2002). One community that has experienced particular growth in its Mexican origin population is Sunnyside, an agricultural city in the Yakima Valley. In this new destination community, Mexican origin families confront problems of gangs, violence, concentrated poverty and drug abuse, along with the challenges of surviving in a community that offers few pathways for mobility to Latinos.

In this study, I draw on 43 qualitative interviews and participant observer data to consider how Mexican origin parents, in two parent homes, go about the act of parenting in the context of Sunnyside. I query couples' parenting styles, with attention to how they develop aspirations for their children and to what models they use to inform their parenting. I look at how the structure of the community helps to perpetuate gendered parenting practices. Finally, I explore how these parenting approaches operate in the school system.

I argue that while much of the parenting that I observed deviates from that advocated by child development specialists (e.g. Baumrind 1968; 2012), the parenting was well designed to protect children from the particular forms of risk that were prominent in Sunnyside. The parenting was typically authoritarian and drew on models that families brought with them from Mexico. Other research on immigrant acculturation suggests this was probably an effective way to keep children safe by promoting selective acculturation (Portes and Rumbaut 2001; Zhou 1997). The parenting, however, was ill-designed to help the children to succeed educationally. Although parents wanted their children to get an education, they could offer little direct help to their children around educational tasks. Instead, they used discipline and engaged their children in physical labor to encourage the children to want to do well in school. This descriptive study helps to demonstrate how the characteristics of one particular new immigrant destination shape family life, parenting styles and children's life chances.

Guided by the overarching theoretical and conceptual framework from Latina/o critical race theory (LatCrit), funds of knowledge (FOK), and pedagogies of the home, this qualitative study explores the experiences of eleven Mexican immigrant mothers as they raise their K-12 grade children in the United States. This study centers the experiences of the participants as they utilize their funds of knowledge, the pedagogies of the home, local resources, and networks to provide opportunities to advance their children academically. Drawing from an asset-based perspective, this study positions the mother as the primary source of transmitting cultural knowledge to her children. This research describes how Mexican immigrant mothers define their role within the family structure and explores mother-daughter relationships. Further, the study identifies the challenges participants endure while raising their first generation Mexican-American children, and the ways in which they use community resources and local networks as forms of support. The data reveals the participants use of FOK through consejos, respeto, and dialogue to promote higher education expectations and aspirations for their children. Lastly, based on data analysis, this study expands on the conceptual framework of strategic mothering by theorizing strategic (Mexican immigrant) mothering.

A Mexican State of Mind: New York City and the New Borderlands of Culture examines the cultural productions of Mexican migrants in New York City within the context of a system of racial capitalism that marginalizes Mexican migrants via an exploitative labor market, criminalizing immigration policy, and racialized systems of surveillance. I begin by juxtaposing three images: "Visible Border," from filmmaker Alex Rivera's The Borders Trilogy; the Brookes Ship, which still powerfully recalls the business of transatlantic slave trade and has been significant for visual artists working from the 1960s to the present; and "la Bestia" ("The Beast"), a freight train running the length of Mexico and frequently used by immigrants on their travels. Although Mexican migrants rarely cross the border in containers, shipping container consumerism is what has allowed for the re- commodification of brown bodies, post-slavery. As such it is not ironic that the original purpose of the Beast was to move standardized containers across the US-Mexico border, yet ended up as a tragic symbol of migrant desperation. Here, as in The Borders Trilogy, I find a through line to understanding the connection between traditional border crossing and historical Mexican settlement in the southwest and Chicago, and the development of Mexican migration to New York City in a post-NAFTA, post-9/11 world.

Inspired by a dialogue of the landmark works of Paul Gilroy and Gloria Anzaldüa, I develop an analytic framework which bridges Mexican diasporic experiences in New York City and the black diaspora, not as a comparison but in recognition that colonialism, interracial and interethnic contact through trade, migration, and slavery are connected via capitalist economies and technological developments that today manifest at least in part via the container. This spatial move is important, not just because Mexican migration is largely understudied in a New York--East Coast context, but because the Black Atlantic also emphasizes the long history and significance of New York as a capital of the slave trade. As the unearthing of the African burial ground in lower Manhattan in 1991 demonstrates, the financial center of New York is literally built on the bodies of black labor. Since the 1990s, it has been built on the backs of Mexican migrant labor.

As a result of these interventions, I find a rich and ever evolving movement toward creative responses to the containments of labor, illegality, and racial and anti-immigrant prejudice. In five chapters, I present a rich archive of both individual and collaborative expression including arts collectives, graffiti, muralism, hip hop crews, through which the majority young male Mexican population form social networks to cope with this modern-day form of "social death." The first chapter, "Mexican Manzana: The Next Great Migration" introduces the context of Mexican migration to New York City since the 1980s, focusing on the economic changes undergone by the city because of the adoption of the shipping container from an industrial economy to one focused on finance, real estate, and service. It also discusses NYC as an immigrant destination and outlines the characteristics of Mexican migrants and the conditions that greet them in their new destination. Particularly iconic to New York City is the restaurant industry for which the Mexican presence is both vital and largely invisible. Thus. Chapter two, "Solo Queremos el Respeto: Racialization of labor and hierarchal culture in the US Restaurant Industry," uses that industry as a case study of Mexican migrant containment, to explore active forms of resistance. Chapter three, "Hermandad, Arte y Rebeldia: Art Collectives and Entrepreneurship in Mexican New York" focuses on the development of arts entrepreneurship and successful collectively owned businesses such as tattoo parlors that double as arts spaces. The next chapter, "Yo Soy Hip Hop: Transnationaiisrn and Authenticity in Mexican New York," employs lyrical analysis of Mexican hip hop to explore alternative forms of identity making. The final chapter "Dejamos una huella: Claiming Space in a New Borderlands," describes the way Mexican migrants are claiming space and performing a politics of anti-deportation via the aggressive visibility of graffiti. Consequently, in loosening the bounds of border and mexicanidad, I find new identities that take surprising shapes. And following my subjects on the long journey to and within the Atlantic Borderlands, they teach me the significance of blackness in Mexican lives as well as black scholarship in Chicano/a and migration studies. Here, there is so much more than comparison – rather it is a rich flow of ideas that no border could ever impede.

This study investigated the patterns of collaboration and communication related to maternal educational attainment and familiarity with Learning by Observing and Pitching In (LOPI) among Indigenous children whose mothers had 9 years or less of schooling, Indigenous children whose mothers had 12 years or more of schooling, and middle-class Mexican children. Study participants were 256 children who participated in groups of four. The children played a computer game called “Marble Blast” on two computers and were videotaped to see how they collaborated and communicated within their groups. Indigenous children whose mothers had 9 years or less of schooling were more likely to engage in collaborative behaviors in which the entire group worked as a unit to accomplish the objective of the game as opposed to the other groups. They were also more likely to engage in varied forms of communication as opposed to middle-class Mexican children who were more likely to both collaborate and communicate exclusively verbally. These findings are consistent with research showing that greater familiarity with Indigenous practices leads to more collaboration and varied forms of communication as opposed to more reliance on verbal communication which is seen in communities less familiar with Indigenous practices or non-Indigenous communities with an extensive history in Western schooling.

The stories of seven first-generation Mexican-American women community college alumnae who persisted and achieved their associates' degrees at Phoenix College revealed nine themes in this qualitative research study. Those themes fell into the following categories: requisites for success, obstacles to success, and assets students possess. Themes within requisites for success include family members give student inspiration to achieve, mentor helps student navigate barriers, Phoenix College diversity helps student feel welcome, and ACE Program supported student progress beyond high school years. Themes within obstacles to success include challenges with financial aid, single-parent responsibilities, SB1070 and Proposition 300 impact on undocumented Latina student and documented Latina students. Themes within assets students possess include faith in God, and si,se puede, yes, I can attitude.

Overarching typologies that emerged between several of the participants were Xichanista, Escondida, Sacrifícia, and Lucha. Xichanista captures the flavor of social activism while Escondida depicts more of a lower profile focused solely on academics. Sacrifícia is placing focus on others before herself and doing what must be done for the moment. Lucha is focused on survival and reality. There is fluidity in the typologies. Over the life of her academic journey, a Latina may shift between two or more of these typologies as she grows.

In this research, participants told stories of strength they did not realize they had until faced with their challenges. Each participant received validation from significant individuals: family, mentors, advisors, faculty or close friends.

Keywords: Latinas, associate's degree, community college, Mexican American women, critical race theory, LatCrit, mestiza consciousness, validation, first-generation, Hispanic

The role of mothering has always been an important area for study in nursing. However, transnational mothering, the experience of women mothering from afar, has not been well studied in the discipline. The purpose of this study was to explore the process of mothering by Mexican women in the context of their move to the United States. The conceptual framework of symbolic interaction and the methodology of grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) were used to guide the study.

Data were collected through 13 semi-structured interviews of women from Mexico living in New York City who had at least one child under the age of 16 still living in Mexico. The results indicated that the process of transnational mothering was non-linear. Phases emerged from data analysis using Grounded Theory Methods of constant comparative analysis of transcripts, using coding, categorizing, and conceptualizing. Three final phases, each with sub categories, which explained the process of transnational mothering included reconceptualizing mothering, struggling, and embracing hope.

Reconceptualizing mothering was used to name this substantive theory that emerged. The Basic Social Process identified that fit the substantive theory that emerged was "social identity" as social identity is affected by a new understanding of one's role. The women in this study acknowledged the poor fit of their traditional roles of mothering in New York and therefore created new roles. The community that they developed and relied upon assisted with this new role adjustment. Implications for this study in the area of practice include the need for greater client advocacy and assisting transnational mothers to build and foster a community. The importance of the discipline's involvement in the area of health policy cannot be overstated as policies affecting mother child separation and reunification need a nursing voice.

School-centric views of Latinx parent involvement value preexisting particular middle -class and Eurocentric forms of parent participation in the classroom and in the school. In contrast, there is a growing body of research that looks at Latinx parenting practices from asset-based perspectives. However, there are few studies that illustrate the Mexican immigrant mothers’ points of view. The purpose of this qualitative study was to document and understand what Mexican immigrant mothers perceived to be good approaches to parenting. The conceptual framework drew from Chicana/Latina feminist epistemology (Delgado Bernal, 1998) and community cultural wealth (Yosso, 2005). The study was conducted using pláticas as a method and methodology. The following themes emerged (1) consejos, (2) faith/catholicism (3) estar al pendiente (4) educación, (5) setting bounderies and being consistent, and (7) obstacles. Results showed that Mexican immigrant mothers are deeply involved and do a series of parenting practices that help their children be ready to learn.

This dissertation contributes to an understanding of contemporary art practices from Mexico City, as they are received in Mexico and abroad, by interpreting the meaning of local and global sources in recent work shown in Mexico, the U.S., and Europe by three internationally established, contemporary artists from Mexico City: Gabriel Orozco, Carlos Amorales, and Pedro Reyes. These three artists established their careers in the 1990s, when, for the first time, Mexican artists shifted from a national plane to a global realm of operation. Through three case studies of recent bodies of work produced by these artists, I show how each of them engages with both Mexico's artistic lineages and global art currents in ways that bring to light the problem of identity for Mexican artists working internationally. This study explores the specific ways in which each artist deals with Mexican content, in order to discuss how contemporary notions of `Mexican' are framed, misconstrued, and contested in the artworks themselves, and in the critical discourse on these artists, in Mexico and internationally.

This thesis argues that Mexican painter Enrique Guzmán is a central figure in the transition between the Ruptura movement and postmodernism. Construed by many as a surrealist artist, Guzmán employs idiosyncratic imagery not to probe inner realities, but to explore themes such as abjection and the fragmentation of self into commodity images. Inhabiting the chasm between an oppressive ultra-conservative provincial culture and the turbulent revolutionary ideology of Mexico City of the sixties and seventies, Guzmán articulates, by fusing aesthetic categories such as, among others, the grotesque, the campy and the advertising cliché and exploring language, paradox and gaze, a deconstruction of cultural and political codes by satirizing their interlocking systems of signs and simulacra, initiating a critique of national and personal identity that will later be developed by the Neo-Mexicanists (Neomexicanistas) into a bold denouncement of sexual, socioeconomic and national marginalization.

The purpose of the study was to compare risk factors for hypertension among African Americans, Whites and Mexican Americans. The following risk factors were investigated: demographic, socio-demographic, dietary intakes (total calories, fiber, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, total protein, fat (saturated, cholesterol, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated), blood pressure, smoking, alcoholic, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), health insurance, physical activity (PA), and sedentary behaviors.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2010 data were utilized for this study. The sample included 1,745 individuals, aged 40-60 years. SUDAAN software was used for data analysis. Statistical procedures included chi-square and t-tests. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine variables predictive of hypertension in each of the ethnic groups.

Except for systolic blood pressure (SBP) in Mexican Americans, SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels were higher in African-American, White and Mexican-American males compared to females. WC and BMI (except in African Americans), smoking in African Americans, Mexican Americans and Whites were significantly higher in hypertensives. Moderate and vigorous activities in Whites, vigorous weekly activity in Mexican Americans, and walking/bicycling for transportation in African Americans were lower in hypertensives.

African Americans were more hypertensive and higher DBP than Whites and MA, and highest SBP followed by Mexican Americans, then Whites. Higher dietary intakes of cholesterol and protein were found in hypertensive African Americans.

SBP was higher in African Americans with annual household incomes of $20,000-$34,999 and $55,000-74,999, Whites with annual household incomes of $35,000-$74,999. DBP was higher in African Americans with annual household incomes of $55,000-74,999, but lower in Whites with annual household incomes of $75,000-$99,999.

White males were more hypertensive than White females. In all ethnic groups subjects aged 50-60 years were more hypertensive than those aged 40-49 years. DBP was lower in African Americans with high school or GED diplomas. SBP was lower in Whites with College degrees or higher levels of education. DBP was higher in Whites and Mexican Americans with high school or GED diplomas. Whites with health insurance had lower SBP and DBP levels, and African Americans with health insurance had lower DBP levels.

Future studies on hypertension in the three ethnic groups should include dietary intakes determined using 3day food records, as well as dietary protein and cholesterol intakes in African Americans.

This study examines and analyzes displacement, under the guise of redevelopment, in urban Mexican communities in Los Angeles-- Chávez Ravine (1944-1959) and Boyle Heights (2000-2015). This investigation also chronicles and interprets the urban renewal process as a systematic attack on the Mexican working- class and disenfranchisement of their communities. This analysis presents qualitative evidence to show the individual impacts associated with involuntary displacement. Furthermore these cases of displacement blocked the economic mobility of displaced residents of Chávez Ravine and Boyle Heights and the impact extends beyond those directly displaced. Beyond gentrification, a review of these cases, within approximately seven decades of displacement patterns, reveal the broader politics of contesting Mexican social and economic status in Los Angeles. Redevelopment maintains an economic and social order that intergenerationally disadvantages Mexican populations.

An analysis was conducted to examine the prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms and the factors associated with accessing healthcare among 2 groups of immigrant postnatal Mexican women living in California less than 10 years. Using Andersen's Behavioral Model for Health Care Utilization, this study's findings are consistent with prior research. The demographic variables of the women who lived in the United States less than 5 years and women who lived in the United States less than 10 years did not differ. Recent immigrants were more likely to see the doctor more frequently or wait less time between visits. Over 90% of participants experienced limited English proficiency. The percentage of women experiencing depression symptoms was 12.6%. The fmdings underscore the need for social workers to assess the risk factors associated with postpartum depression and evaluate the predisposing, enabling and need factors of Mexican immigrant women associated with accessing care.

Culturally sensitive care is thought to take into account a person's specific cultural values and preferences when providing mental health care services. Latinos currently comprise 17% of the total U.S. population at 50.5 million and persons of Mexican heritage constitute over 66% of all Latinos in the United States. Persons of Mexican heritage experience higher rates of mental health issues and illness with 30% lifetime incidence versus 20% incidence for Anglos. Few studies have focused on the mental health treatment preferences for persons of Mexican heritage. Treatment preferences could reflect personal characteristics, acculturation perspective about mental health issues and illness, and experience with treatment. Mass media may also influence treatment preferences and mental health information-seeking. The purpose of this study was to describe preferences for mental health treatment services for persons of Mexican heritage living in the Southwest along the United States-Mexico border. Twenty-one participants were interviewed individually and their responses analyzed using Atlas-ti qualitative analysis software. The participants reported twenty-five mental health treatment preferences. The top six preferences—medication, going to the doctor, social and family support, counseling and herbal medicines, were consistent throughout demographic categories of age, gender, income, generational status, insurance status, education, and acculturation. Self-management interventions and integrative medicine were also reported as treatment preferences. Participants reported media use of television, internet, books and magazines, in-person interaction, and radio as primary mental health information sources. Media influences on mental health included education/information, hope, normalization, and a catalyst for conversation. Ascribed meanings for anxiety, depression, substance abuse, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder included cognitive, behavioral, and interactional reports. Mental health services for persons of Mexican heritage should include varying holistic mental health treatment practices, recognizing the need for understanding of potential meanings for mental health issues and illness. Persons of Mexican heritage report the desire for the same types of allopathic care including medications and counseling as Anglos in the US. Additionally, self-management interventions and integrative medicine therapies, as well as innovative media outreach methods were reported as integral to the holistic treatment process of obtaining help for mental health issues and illness.