Latin American Women In The 1950's

Over time, Latin American women have developed freedom and their own place in society. However, in the 1950’s things were drastically different. Their husbands had authority, also known as machismo, and they were not allowed to take charge. After the feminist movement, Latin American women became more capable of holding power. They started to take on the challenge of the work force and balance other responsibilities. In the 1950’s women were brought up to believe that they are strong leaders passing along their families’ traditions, values and faith in order to keep the beliefs of their culture ongoing. From their Native American ancestors, they inherited the belief that women are wise and powerful offering their unique and valuable contributions
They were supposed to be a caring mother, diligent homemaker and obedient wife. Moreover, women were expected stay at home, bear children, and maintain the house. They were expected to clean and cook to make sure everything was sufficient when their husband came home from work. We can see this in Chronicle of a Death Foretold when Mercedes ,(the narrator’s wife) says that “the girls had been reared to screen embroidery, sew by machine, weave bone lace, wash and iron, make artificial flowers and fancy candy, and write engagement announcements (Marquez 31). Women also needed to take responsibilities when it came to their children such as educating them. They were not allowed to participate in the work force as their husbands
Women were expected to be virgins when they got married. Virginity was considered very sacred because it was supposed to be saved for the man you truly love (your husband). “On the other hand, the fact that Angela Vicario dared put on the veil and the orange blossoms without being a virgin would be interpreted afterwards as a profanation of the symbols of purity” (Marquez 41). Angela represents that being a virgin was very disgraceful; hence the fact that she was returned to her parents after her husband found out that she was deflowered. Divorce was also looked down upon because the woman and man should have taken the time to know each other well before they got