Cross Cultural Paper

Mexico is a well-known culture in South America. From the amount of Mexican Americans in California to a staple in travel, it's a pretty popular country most individuals are bound to go to one day. However, few people know about the culture in terms of its traditional roles, education and how sexual education has changed from the 1900’s. Although Mexico has a skeptical crime and femicide rate, there has been a large change from the early 1900’s in terms of adding more diversity, and perspective. The most common in these is the sex education, gender roles and school culture. With a very progressive government, the change is noted in many scientific articles, websites and textbooks. The hopes are for men and women to be equal in the household, grant education for primary and secondary schools and for adolescents to have the right to contraceptives as it is in their nature to do so. 

When educators begin talking about gender roles, they first mention the word Machismo which means gender roles in spanish. Women are expected to clean, raise their families and take care of other household work with pride. Men are the breadwinners and more often the fathers are the head of the households. Women often have to cater to their husbands, brothers, uncles and any other male figure because Mexico is a very patriarchal country with men having more authority than women. In comparison to western culture, gender roles are very prevalent as men often hold more benefits in society such as getting paid more, making the first move in relationships, are often seen as stronger and helpful when it comes to physical labor and much more. Mexico upholds the traditional gender roles of Psychology of Gender where women are more submissive, nurturing and selfless where women are expected to earn income for their family and exude confidence. In the Cultural Atlas Article of Mexico it states that “There is also an increasing trend of husbands and wives sharing domestic chores in the middle and upper classes of cities” (paras. 10). Class, Background, Religion and Economic region  definitely plays a role in how a household is run. 

From the time of the Mexican Revolution to now, Mexico has decided to prioritize education within its country. The main goal was to teach children basic communication and literature skills, science, history, physical education and art appreciation. High school is not required and higher education is everything undergrad and after. Along with lots of positives such as an increase in enrollment, there were a few step backs the system faced like high illiteracy, teen pregnancies, and socioeconomic differences between the students. The school meets the children to where they are by opening a special education school for adults and youth who work and didn’t have an opportunity to finish their elementary and middle school education. There are even schools where they teach the students on their national history, which helps embody the school culture. The children go to school knowing they are there to learn and gain information and don’t have to worry about stereotype threats or gender roles in play. The National Educational Program proposes “It affirms, expands, redefines, and proposes new and existing initiatives designed to confront and resolve the challenges faced by Mexican society and education” (paras.18). 

Before the Evolution and Resistance to Sexuality Education in Mexico article, there was little documentation on Mexico’s sexuality education program. However, due to its long lasting duration and working effects, the researchers decided to conduct information on the program starting from the 1930’s to the 21st century. With a high attendance rate to the majority of the population being Roman Catholic, the sex-ed program can reach lots of youth and adolescents and further teach them how to be safe when it comes to sex.  In the 1930’s, many conservatives argued that parents should be teaching their children sexual education to avoid their children being influenced by secular ideas. However, this changed by the 70’s as sexuality orientation was required in primary and secondary schools in biology class, but the information given was brief, only touching on menstrual cycles, birth and heterosexual content. The 1990’s and 2000’s was where education focused on pleasure, gender identities and LGBTQ+ rights. The government had also pushed adolescents to gain access to free contraception as it is in their human right and pushed a more Comprehensive Sexual Education. Within a few years, Mexico implemented a successful sexuality education program that helps reduce pregnancy and to limit discrimination against LGBTQ+ youth. There was no abstinence only education but they pushed the idea that sex happens and as long as you are safe about it, there’s no guilt in being human. 

Within this essay, ideas in the gender roles and household structures, national Mexican education system, and the sexuality education program were brought up. Traditionally, the eldest men in the house, typically the father, is the main source of income and the household and women are expected to be more submissive and helpful when it comes to being mothers and working around the house. In certain upperclass regions, there has been a rise in both women and  men helping one another with housework. While there still are lots of negatives in the schooling of Mexico, it uptains the goal of teaching the students basic information about the world around them without them having to worry about gender stereotypes. In secondary schools, sexual education is taught through comprehensive sexual education where children learn about STD’s, contraceptives, gender identities, different sexual identities and overall pleasure. Due to this sex-ed program, it is hoped that there will be a decrease in adolescent pregnancy and less prejuice against queer individuals. The government has already taken a step to giving teenagers free contreceptives which is justv the start. Mexico has a very liberal and secular government which helps citizens in becoming more open minded and adhering to their own psychology of gender.