Sunday, May 4, 2008

Culture shock...

I believe the femicide is an unintended consequence of NAFTA. I do not believe that several future presidents sat around in a college dungeon plotting to rule the world by causing third world countries to “race to the bottom”. Culturally Mexico is a patriarchal society, as are many countries. With the flow of new job opportunities, employers found the women workers to be more compliant and easily dominated. 70% of these jobs went to women and girls. Work papers for underage workers were easy to procure and the $5 or so a day was a big lure. Over time shanty towns cropped up around Juarez, homes built of cardboard discarded from the factories. Women were making money and gaining a little power. In the U.S. during WW11, women took over many of the typically men’s skilled machine jobs. Women worked riveting and welding to continue to produce armaments for the war. When the war was over and the troops came back home there was resentment and many women lost their jobs and were told to go home to their families. It is difficult to unwind the clock and women started asserting their rights as equal human beings. The motives behind having a mostly women’s work force in Mexico are nefarious but the result may be a more independent gender. Men are starting to lose control and their culture is changing. Physical violence is the one constant control that men have over women. Women who were raised to honor thy father are still walking the tightrope of independence and are more likely to submit to a man’s will. Domestic violence, workplace violence, and stranger violence are the ultimate control over women. Add to the climate the fact that the very people in power to protect and punish offences against women are mostly men.
Many Thanks to Michelle and Niki

1 comment:

Lucinda Marshall said...

What a terrific blog, thanks for putting it together and for caring. I've added a link on our blog roll and will do a post mentioning your blog--would it be ok to use one of your fabulous photos as part of that post--I really want to show people what they will find on this blog.

Lucinda Marshall, Director
Feminist Peace Network
www.feministpeacenetwork.org