As an American, when I think of the traditional role of a wife and mother, I of course imagine a stay-at-home mom who didn't necessarily go to college or ever have a career other than raising her children — a woman who spent her days changing diapers, washing dishes, doing laundry and having dinner on the table for her hubby by 6 p.m. sharp. But as a fourth-generation American whose divorced great grandmother moved from Puerto Rico to the States with her two young daughters, I imagine a traditional Latina mother to be so much more.
While my great grandmother, grandmother and mother fulfilled all of the duties of an American wife and mother, they also worked tirelessly in order to enhance life for their children and grandchildren. They held down jobs while still being the primary caregivers for their children in order to save money for the future, they kept immaculate homes and cooked hot meals for their families every single night. They were and still are superwomen. To me, they are the definition of mamas latina.
At this point in my life, I'm probably the closest my family has seen to a traditional wife in a very long time. I recently quit my job to stay home with my infant son, my husband is now the primary breadwinner in our household, and I do spend my days changing diapers, cleaning and cooking. But like so many 21st century women, I also have a college degree, spent several years pursuing my career and continue to work for pay. I have goals independent (though mindful) of my roles as wife and mother. Thanks to the women who came before me, I've been allowed to break free of the mold — or rather, to create my own.
During ancestors redefined what it means to be a "traditional" wife. They created and upheld a role that wasn't just that of a woman, but rather that of every woman. I'm doing my very best to follow in their footsteps, and hopefully my children will one day be able to say that their mother too redefined the role of wife and mother.
