Authors: Frankie Medina
Mentors: Joy McMurrin
Insitution: Utah Tech University
My research looks at the multifaceted extent of the lived experiences of Mexican-American women through the eyes of Chicana feminist's scholarships and social media content. The first research question considers the insights presented by Chicana feminists’ scholarship to delve into complex experiences. This will highlight their struggles, identities, and achievements. I aim to root around the fundamental theories and narratives that support the study of Mexican-American women.
Second, I will examine the everyday experiences of Mexican-American women, and how it aligns with and/or deviates from the scholarship mentioned above. Through secondary research, I will examine common themes in the scholarship and compare them with the everyday experiences that I previously identified.
Thirdly, I will research how contemporary Chicanas interact in formal and informal actions of protest that go against traditional norms and patriarchal systems. My research will focus on the gap between scholarly discourse and activism in real-life norms. I seek to present the different ways in which Mexican-American women delve into their own resilience and resistance in challenging existing obstacles.
This qualitative research has three phases: first I will identify and synthesize common themes in Chicana feminist scholarship; second, I will code social media content, using both a priori and in vivo coding methods; third, I will write a thematic analysis of the contemporary Chicana experience. By reviewing these sources and data, I will provide an understanding of the experiences of Mexican-American women, their morale with scholarly discourse, and their roles in continued socio-cultural and political activities. The outcomes of this research hope to have regard for the complications around the Mexican-American female experience and their continuing efforts to challenge and change traditional norms and patriarchy