Olga Alvarez
LBJ School of Public Affairs
Research Project
The study on Women in Mexican Politics conducted at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs focused on a variety of topics which have provided a detailed description of Mexican women in the political arena. Examining their personal backgrounds, career paths, and obstacles encountered while pursuing their professional goals laid the groundwork for the study. The four distinct groups Political Parties, Government, Feminists, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) share many similarities as well as significant differences. Acknowledging these differences and recognizing the achievements of these women are the first steps toward understanding their success in overcoming the barriers of the political structure. The following are preliminary results from our research and the findings should serve as a foundation for further analysis.
Analyzing personal backgrounds of all the women provided information on the impact of their childhood environment.
The first datum examined was Place of Birth. A large portion of the women in our study were born in Mexico City. Birth places of the rest of the women were scattered throughout the country with a small number, approximately less than five, who were foreign born. One interesting discovery was that the women in NGOs were more likely than other groups to be born throughout the country, and later came to Mexico City.
This is important when discussing Geographic Mobility. Those women who were categorized in the groups of Political Parties and Government were the least geographically mobile. Women belonging to the NGO group, however, showed the highest levels of mobility, focusing mainly on Mexico City. This may be a reflection of the highly centralized political structure of Mexico and the greater facility in influencing the government.
We also examined parental influence and family history. Most of the parents of those women interviewed had the financial or educational means to provide an environment conducive to the pursuit of professional success. Most women noted that their parents supported their educational endeavors. Also, most came from middle to upper class families with status in their communities.
In reference to parental political participation Most of the women in the political parties, government and feminist groups came from politically active families, as opposed to those in the NGO group, whose families were not active in public life.
In addition to the influences of family background, the Immediate Family also contributes to her success or failure. The majority of women in the sample were married. In the interviews, some women explicitly mentioned that their husbands were very supportive of their careers. Of the women who spoke of their marital status, approximately 40% were divorced. Some noted that their political careers had imposed strain on their marriages.
Recognizing the commitment expected from their elected or professional positions, it was encouraging to find that
- The majority of the women in our study were mothers. The number of children varied from one child to six children, while most of the family sizes tended to be small (comprised of approximately two children).
- Although most children were supportive of their mother's endeavors, the women in the sample felt that they had sacrificed time away from their families and children in order to pursue their careers.
Exploring career paths provided insight on access to the political structure and on the levels of education attained
- Most of the women in our study have a post-secondary education. The majority of women in the government, political parties, and feminist groups have achieved post- graduate degrees.
- However, only a few of the women in our sample have studied in foreign countries; AND, of those who studied in Mexico, many attended la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM).
- In addition, the coursework or area of study pursued by a majority of these women was concentrated in the social sciences.
Therefore, high levels of education appear to be important as well as political participation at a young age
- Many women began their political participation during their university years in activities ranging from student government involvement to the student movement of the late 1960s.
- We also found that the majority of women who attended college during the late 1960s and early 1970s were influenced by the student movement; for some it became a catalyst for political participation, especially for those women currently in NGOs.
In discussing our findings, it is important to note those who inspired these women
- Many of these women mentioned Mexican revolutionaries of different political persuasions as mentors and heroes. A large number of the women also identified Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz as a heroine.
- The mentors and heroes mentioned depended upon the political orientation of the women interviewed. For instance, the women in NGOs mentioned prominent leftists, such as Trostsky and Rosande, while political party members mentioned the founders or members of their particular party.
Finally, the obstacles encountered by women exist at two levels personal and societal.
- Personal obstacles for the women in our sample were gender, sexism, family opposition, and the double shift.
- Societal obstacles included (1) attitudes toward women in the workplace (since men are viewed as better professionals; (2) low self-esteem of women in general (although the women in our sample did not feel that they personally suffered from low self- esteem); and (3) lack of support from the educational system. Women's ambitions, as a whole, are not encouraged in the present educational structure.
BUT, some women in political parties said that being a woman had its advantages -- people saw women as more responsible and trustworthy candidates. These women, however, still suffer from the same negative stereotypes associated with being a politician.
In closing, I would like to state again that these preliminary results are laying the groundwork for further analysis, but as we have known and are continuing to discover, there are many women in Mexico breaking the barriers and entering into the male-dominated political system -- a system that exists all over the world. Women are succeeding in the political arena either as elected officials, government staff, or organizers. Their achievements have been profound and their struggle recognized.