Gender, Work and social Integration among Yucatec Maya Immigrants in San Francisco, California

Abstract

This article examines Yucatec Maya migration to the United States since the late 1980s. It pays special attention to gender differences for men and women to analyze distinctive patterns of migration, work, and social integration in the United States. Our main findings indicate that Yucatec Maya men came to California for economic reasons while most Yucatec Maya women arrived after marriage or via family reunification. Also, Yucatec Maya immigrants have social and economically integrated into the United States while at the same time have negotiated gender change in marriage and retained family values and unity.