Gender, Race, and Nationality in the Making of Mexican Migrant Labor in the United States

Gender ideologies and race and nationality among employers and employees are important in reproducing migrant Mexican workers' status in a segmented U.S. labor market. A survey of 110 employers combined with interviews shows how gender, race, and nationality are reproduced within and outside of the workplace. Employers prefer Mexican workers because of what they feel is a stronger work ethic among recent immigrants, but these preferences are influenced by preexisting ideas about native-born and black workers. Immigrant men are seen as "providers" while Mexican women are seen as good, docile workers except when they have "domestic" issues such as families.