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Social And Cultural Limitations In Colonial Latin America

Decent Essays

In a patriarchal society such as colonial Latin America, women were considered second class citizens. No matter their class or ethnicity, all women experienced the social and cultural limitations that are subjected to them by this patriarchal society. Women had limited access to education, women are used to satisfy men’s personal desires and legal systems neglected women’s court rights while heavily advocating men’s. However, not all women are subjected to the same limitations because of the difference in one’s economic status and ethnic identity. Nonetheless, women still found a way to carve out a space for themselves in attempt to overcome these regulations set by a patriarchal society. The patriarchal nature of colonial Latin America did not encourage women to have an interest in education, instead they are expected to play the roles that only focused on managing a household and family enterprises. With this, women are given limited access to education. Only women in higher and middling ranks have access to education, even then they are still subjected to the prejudice that they are not able to fully grasp knowledge. Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz is an example of a woman who was affected by the educational constraints women faced. She stated that she “kept quiet” about her ability to read for having done it without permission would have resulted to her getting in trouble (Red Reader 159). However, one can note that her ability to easily access educational help was from the

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