Women and Gender in Modern Latin America : Historical Sources and Interpretations

In Latin American history, women have not only played key roles within the family and society, but have long been active participants in political and economic life. The explosion of research over the last fifteen years testifies to how much we still have to learn about their experiences. Women and Gender in Modern Latin America brings together selections from recent scholarship with excerpts from an exciting array of primary sources, many translated into English for the first time, to bring the story of women’s involvement in modern Latin American history up to date. Covering major developments in the region from the bitter wars of Spanish American independence (1810-1825) through the turn of the twenty-first century, this collection examines the expectations, responsibilities, and limitations that have confronted women in their varied roles. The book explores: The nature and impact of feminist movements Women’s role in economic modernization and the gendered division of labor Women’s contributions to 20th-century nationalism and social revolutions Changing gender roles and relations within marriage and the family The impact of modern birth control methods and changing sexual mores In the concise introductory essays, Pamela S. Murray synthesizes recent research to provide readers with a context for the selections in each chapter, including primary sources that range from trial records, legal codes, and other official documents to personal letters, excerpts from women’s published writings, speeches, and images. Whether for a course specifically on women in Latin America, or as an addition to a Modern Latin America survey course, Women and Gender in Modern Latin America provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of women and workings of gender over time across a vast and diverse region.