A day in the life of.. The gendered citizenship of women in Mérida, Mexico
Summary
Citizenship means being part of a political community and having certain rights, duties, and opportunities. However, not every citizen has the same opportunities. In Mérida, class, gender, and ethnicity play an important role in determining your citizenship and thus your opportunities. Traditionally, the women in Yucatán were housewives, but that seems to be changing. More and more women study and have a job. However, they do not have the same chances in the job market as men. Another issue which limits women in their citizenship is the value of family in society. This can pressure women into staying married, even when their husband is violent. Although it has become more common for men to perform tasks in the household, women usually bear more responsibility. Younger generations seem to have a more equal position compared to men. The government s involvement in the matter is a double edged sword; on the one hand it invests in women s organizations, but on the other hand it also discriminates against women in governmental institutions. One thing does seem to be clear, though: things are slowly changing for the better.