First Generation Hispanic Woman

Woman. Hispanic. First Generation. All of the words that define me as well as place a restriction on what I can be.  Ever since I was little I knew I was different. I just felt that life was more than getting married at a young age and having a family to which there is nothing wrong with that if a women decides that is what she wants. I just liked the idea of independence, the idea of exploring who I am outside of a traditional Mexican woman. As a first generation, the idea of getting my bachelors degree was always my dream as a way to make my parents proud and show them that their sacrifices in this country was worth it. 

As a Hispanic woman we learn from a young age that in order to be liked and taken into acquaintance for a man to marry us, we have to be submissive to them. We also have to less smart of a man and let them feel that they are above us, the macho alpha life. That way of thinking always bothered me because we are more than being submissive. We should be encouraged to follow our dreams, to be who we want to be regardless of what men think. 

I would encourage any other girl who also identifies as a first generation Hispanic woman to be who you want to be regardless of who judges you. There is going to come a point of life that you will be proud of yourself for making a career, for discovering yourself and not falling to the Hispanic gender roles and just sticking by them. If other people find you intimidating for being secure on who you are that's their problem and don't let that bring you down. There is nothing wrong for not wanting to be married at a young age or having kids if you choose not to because your mental and physical health are more important. You are not alone. I once felt all the emotions of confusion while growing up and being truth to who I am is the best decision I have made.