GENDER DYNAMICS & SOCIAL CHANGE IN MODERN-DAY MEXICO

AT-A-GLANCE

DURATION: 7 days/6 nights

IDEAL FOR: Professional groups or university classes passionate about these topics

PRICE: Starting at US$950 / person

Overview

Through conversation with local entrepreneurs and leaders, gain a first-hand understanding of how gender impacts, and is impacted by, community development, relationships, sexuality, culture and access to opportunity in education, the workplace and the home.

What’s Included

ACCOMMODATION: Mid-range hotel (double occupancy)

MEALS: All meals, except for 3 dinners to enjoy on your own.

TRANSPORTATION: All transportation once in Mexico, including airport pick-up/drop-off.

EXCURSIONS: One of three excursion options (depending on season and availability)

EXPERT FACILITATION: Our guides translate conversations between English and Spanish

FAIR PAYMENTS AND LOCAL IMPACT: Please read more about our Responsible Tourism Guarantee

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Settling In

Includes transportation from the airport to your accommodation, orientation on local health and safety norms and a special welcome dinner.

Day 2: Historical and Cultural Perspectives

We begin by reviewing historical and cultural ideas about gender in Mexico. From La Virgen to La Malinche to Sor Juana de la Cruz, we will explore traditional dualities and assigned identities for Mexican women, as well as talk about the expectations inherent in machista culture. Discussions are complemented by visits to families and mothers to hear firsthand their experiences with gender and cultural identity.

Day 3: Contemporary Families

Meet with female entrepreneurs and their families to learn about the social and familial implications of being born a woman in contemporary Mexico. Followed by a Q&A session with a local psychologist who specializes in domestic violence and who shares expertise on family dynamics.

Day 4: Homosexuality in Mexico

Meet with families to hear about machismo and its pressures on gay and trans Mexicans. Then travel to Puerto Vallarta, an area that is known as a safe-haven for LGBT Mexicans to further delve into the gay tourism/migration phenomenon that forms an integral part of this city’s social fabric.

Day 5: Structural Responses

Travel to San Pancho for a guided tour of a community center working to strengthen families and communities. Later, meet with a panel of government representatives and local experts to learn about their work providing institutional options to empower women and their families. End the day sharing a group dinner with some remarkable female entrepreneurs from the area.

Day 6: ¡Vamos! Excursion Day

Options include: a jungle hike, trip to the mountains, zip-lining or boat ride and beach time.

Day 7: Departure

Includes transportation from your accommodation to the airport.

Themes & Discussions

We will seek to answer and explore questions such as:

  • How might Latin American feminism differ from North American feminism?

  • What pressures and stigmas are faced by LGBT Mexicans?

  • What non-visible barriers do Mexican women and men confront?

  • How does gender fit into development on a larger scale?

  • What is being done to combat gender issues socially and institutionally?

  • In what direction(s) are gender dynamics in Mexico heading?