Photo 19: Racial-Ethnic Mothering

Photo 19: I took this picture of a Hispanic mother and her child at the mall.

Sociological Perspective: What hardships do racial-ethnic mothers face when it comes to mothering that white mothers don't face? How do racial-ethnic mothers explain issues of race/class to their children when they are growing up? How do racial-ethnic mothers help their children exist in a society that may oppress them? What differences have existed for racial-ethnic mothers and white mothers over time (i.e. working vs. not working, class, second shift)?

Analysis: Zinn discusses how conventional notions of family don't take into account the experiences of racial-ethnic mothers. Their experiences are shaped by the fact that they are racial-ethnic women.She discusses how in racial-ethnic families, racial stratification shapes family resources and structures. The way women make a living differs for women of different race-ethnicities. This in turn affects how these women run their  domestic lives. Zinn says that women's work outside the home is an extension of family responsibility. The types of jobs women hold, for example, racial-ethnic women are more likely to be employed in the service sector versus women who are not racial-ethnic. It is important to understand how work affects their ability to mother. Also, patriarchy and issues of privilege and subordination affect racial-ethnic women. These women are already subordinated under a patriarchal system, and when you add the dimension of race-ethnicity, there is another layer of subordination and a loss of privilege.