a wife to their husband or the virginity of an unmarried woman—is symbolized by the Virgin Mother, the most salient religious symbols in Mexico” (Horowitz, 1983, p.71). Virginity is looked upon as an honor to a woman’s husband or her father. It is dishonorable to lose one’s virginity before marriage because a mother is portrayed as an honorable and respectful figure. If her virginity is lost before marriage or adultery is committed, the society’s respect toward the mother is lost.On 32nd street, society establishes that the birth mother take on the role of the caretaker before birth whereas, in The Flats, it is established after birth. On 32nd street, society implies that it is the woman’s duty to bear children. “Motherhood is seen not as a last resort but rather as a highly honored role” (Horowitz, 1983, p.71). After marriage, a woman’s chief purpose is to bear and raise children. In The Flats, if the mother is not “emotionally ready to nurture a child”, the parental rights are given to a female member of the family who accepts the responsibility as “mama” (Stack, 1974, p. 49). “In the eyes of the community, a young mother who does not perform her duties has not validated her claim to parenthood (Stack, 1974, p.49). When a woman becomes a mother she takes on the expected responsibility of bonding with her child. In The Flats the “mama” is the women who “raises” the child, usually for life (Stack, 1974, p.48). The “mama” may raise the child and the natural mother under the same roof but the role and duties of motherhood is performed by one of the mother’s female relatives. Stack states that the young mothers and their firstborn daughters are often raised as sisters, and lasting ties are established between these mothers and their daughters (1974, p.48), whereas on 32nd street, “Motherhood is the ba...
