Analytical essay Analytical essay on migrant daughter by Mario T. Garcia

 

Introduction

 

‘Migrant Daughter'  by Tywoniak & Garcia  (2000)  gives an account of Frances Esquibel  Tywoniak, A Mexican American woman who moved to California in 1937, where he got the opportunity to join the University of California. The great depression led to an economic crisis in New Mexico, and this forced Tywoniak and her family to look for opportunities.  In California, the family settled in Corcoran, and later moved to Tagus Ranch, and therefore Tywoniak came across different cultures. Tywoniak encountered cultural challenges since it was not easy to adjust to the new different environment. For example, the geographical borders seemed challenging, she found it hard to form intercultural relationships, and language learning was also a challenge in the classroom. In the Tagus, Tywoniak worked into unpaid labor. While working in the field, they could wake up early to go and work in poor conditions and for long hours. Tywoniak learned that she was living in a new world where her personality and identity were affected. In the book, the author addresses many issues, such as family life and personal growth. I believe that in sharing this life experience, the books communicate the struggles that Mexican immigrants experienced in the U.S.  From the story, the reader can learn that immigrants experienced job crises, unpleasant food, unemployment, lived in desperate conditions, among other struggles. The book  ‘Migrant daughter' sheds light on the life experiences of Mexican Americans and how they struggled to find stability. 

 

             The book illuminates the struggle that Mexican Americans experienced for survival in the U.S and how they achieved unexpected benefits. First, it is important to understand that the collapse of the world economy or the great depression caused devastating effects in Mexico (Tywoniak & Garcia, 2000). The country suffered greatly, and families were greatly devastated. This forced the Mexican families   to move to the U.S to relief poverty. However, little did they know that they were unwanted in America. First, immigrants believed that California would give them a better life since the area was good for farming.  However, all migrants, including Mexicans and African Americans, were named Okies and described as immigrants from the poor rural south (Tywoniak & Garcia, 2000). Immigrants mixed with a community of culture, and they used ethnocentric and discriminatory attitude toward other cultures. This means that immigrants stereotyped other cultures, and they suffered from in-group tension. They lived in hostile environments, they suffered from hunger, language barriers, they did not find suitable employment, it was hard to access community services, and they suffered from cultural differences, prejudice, isolation, among other challenges (Tywoniak & Garcia, 2000). In general, immigrants believed that California was not the best place since, rather than getting rest; they kept on moving from one place to another to look for steady income. Focusing on the story, the  Tywoniak says that achieved her dreams since she joined the university and earned a bachelor's degree. The reader does not only see the success of Tywoniak and her struggle, but one sees how immigrant struggled until they achieved their dreams (Tywoniak & Garcia, 2000).  Like Tywoniak, Mexican immigrants experienced turmoil, tension, alienation, and all forms of discrimination. However, they maintained their cultural identities and cultural values. They strongly maintained their ancestral roots while in amidst of multiple cultures.

 Through Tywoniak experience, one can learn that Mexican Americans lacked education, and that is the reason why Tywoniak family worked in the low-wage labor field (Ortiz & Telles, 2012).  I believe that the education disadvantages was the reason as to why the immigrants were stigmatized and racialized.  In the U.S., they experienced racial barriers that restricted them from entering into the white society. Note that in California, there were various cultures such as whites, blacks, and Mexicans.  The latter was considered as non-whites and treated as laborers and people of low status (Ortiz & Telles, 2012). In the economic realm, Mexicans experienced discriminatory treatment. In the school, Mexicans experienced segregation and alienation. Tywoniak points outs there was culture otherness where Mexicans were marginalized and seen as different from others. Ortiz and Telles (2012) support the idea that the life experience reflect the struggles and difficulties that Mexican Americans experienced.  However, they assert that education is important in that Mexican Americans who are educated do not face discrimination as those who lack education (Ortiz & Telles, 2012).  However, the less educated experience discrimination and stereotype in places of work and other settings.

 King (2011) says that Mexican Americans are participating in the U.S labor force. In 2003, the number of Mexican women in labor was 57%, and in 2004, the number was 57.8% (King, 2011). These figures indicate that the participation of Mexican women in the economy has increased. In the past, Mexican women were denied this opportunity due to lack of education, they valued marriage than job, they were caretakers at home, and other cultural issues (King, 2011). Today, marriage and children do not hinder women from entering into the labor force. However, there is a difference between women in Mexico and Mexican American women in terms of employment. In Mexico, women are underrepresented and underpaid. They are treated as ‘wives' who should participate in industrial homework (King, 2011). The wage differences in U.S and Mexico have influenced women to move from Mexico to the U.S. The macroeconomics conditions influenced by the neoliberal policies are not favorable, and therefore educated women are moving to urban areas.  It is important to understand that Mexican American has occupied a good position in U.S society and also in the labor market since they are well-educated, and they have gained American presence than nonmigrants (King, 2011). Today, Mexican women are recognized in the U.S than men as long as they have greater education. Given that women are underrepresented in Mexico, they are focusing on the economic sector in the U.S since it is the only place they are accessing economic opportunity. The U.S economy is benefiting women by providing them with employment.

 

 Conclusion

 ‘Migrant Daughter’ is a story about Tywoniak who struggled for search for identity and economic stability. At a young age, she played important roles such as working in a field, domestic task, among other roles.  As a migrant worker, her story reflects on the structural issues immigrants experienced in the U.S society, as well as in the labor market.  Her story reveals the benefits of struggling to achieve the American dream, which entails freedom and quality.  It is important to understand that the family moved to the U.S for economic reasons. Recent research shows that today, the aspect of moving from Mexico to the U.S is still significant since people believe that the U.S provides freedom and welfare, and more importantly, economic benefits. In specific, Mexican women are supported by their employment status since, in Mexico, they are limited opportunities. The U.S is offering more significant opportunities, and therefore, Mexican migrants are participating in the labor market, whereas Mexican has failed to meet the basic needs.

 

 

References

 

King, M. C. (2011). Mexican Women and Work on Both Sides of the US-Mexican

Border. American journal of Economics and Sociology, 70(3), 615-638.

 

Tywoniak, F. E., & García, M. T. (2000). Migrant daughter: Coming of age as a Mexican

American woman. Berkeley, Calif: University of California Press.

 

Ortiz, V., & Telles, E. (2012). Racial identity and racial treatment of Mexican Americans. Race

and social problems, 4(1), 41-56.