“Labor Migrants or Submissive Wives” Discussion Post

I find it interesting that (generally) in the readings that our class had done thus far, as well as our group discussion twice a week, the domestic realm has been very clearly separated from the working, public realm. In contrast to this, the Puerto Rican women immigrants in this week’s reading, “Labor Migrants or Submissive Wives,” view duties in the domestic realm as a form of work in itself. I very much agree with points that are made on this idea. While reading this chapter, I kept thinking about the phrase “There’s no tougher job than being a mom.” Even in today’s society, much of the general public see women who choose to stay at home and focus on raising their children as as not working. I find it sad that women still have to justify their personal decision of whether or not to work in the home rather than outside. While they aren’t employed in the typical sense, I understand how the Puerto Rican women spoken about in the reading can view household duties as work in itself, due to the necessary energy and time commitment.