Chicana Studies

Selena and Marisa Navarro are prime examples of two women who experienced significant patriarchical constraints to their agency. This, however, did not stop them from negotiating and resisting these constraints in their own way and in their own life. Their stories are told through various mediums, including the movie Selena and the article "Becoming La Mujer" by Marisa Navarro. Selena's strongest patriarchical influence came from her father, who attempted to control various aspects of her life for many years. Navarro also felt the effects of constraint, but by both of her parents. Unfortunately, these women were victim to the "good girl" (virgin) and "bad girl" (whore) dichotomy, which embodies the impossible idea that women must be sexually attractive, yet unavailable. This not only further encourages the concept of patriarchy in a Chicana's life, but it also distorts the social construction of gender relations among women and men. Despite various influences and obstacles in these young Chicana's lives, Selena and Marisa still managed to achieve sexual independence. This independence was only one aspect of their identity, with the other major part being their personal agency. Selena's strongest patriarchical constraint was her father. In the article "Reconceptualizing Gender Through Intercultural Dialogue: The Case of the Tex-Mex Madonna", it is said that Selena's father referred to her as "a genuinely good person" who was "clean and stood for the family" (Willis and Gonzalez 1997), but, he still attempted to control many aspects of her life. One scene in the Movie Selena emphasizes this idea when Selena goes on stage in a bustier and begins to perform, at which point her father instantly objects and asks Selena's mother why Selena is wearing such a suggestive article of clothing. Another moment in which Selena's father, Abraham, constrains Selena with his "father figure" role is when she begins to have relations with Chris, a member of the band. Abraham asks