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Ivon Ochoa
Professor Ditch
English 11 3B
12 February 2015
My Mexican-American Identity
Growing up in East Los Angeles I was accustomed to the people in my environment. The
traditions my parents have inculcated in me are my beliefs. Once I moved out to Northridge my
life was impacted in various ways. Adapting to a different environment has been difficult to
everyone, but I struggle with the foreign area around me. In Northridge I find myself living in a
place where others have different perspectives and judgments. Im isolated from my family and
friends. When Im home I can express my thoughts and feelings to my friends who can relate to
me. Moving out to college in Northridge Ive tried to make it easier for myself to adapt to the
environment by meeting friends and also getting a job. I left many of my friends/family
traditions, but most importantly as a Mexican-American woman my religion, dominance and
morals are crucial in my culture.
I realized I soon needed to accept and adapt to the different environment when I moved
out into my apartment in Northridge. Although, I do not appreciate the disrespectful drivers
around here, my neighborhood seems nice and quiet. In some ways I am lucky to be able to
move between two worlds. (Tsing-Loh) The restaurants are the usual fast food restaurants. And
to distract myself I like to spend time at the Northridge mall with my roommates or watching
movies in our place. Starting work in December of last year I became a bit more familiar to my
surroundings. I also met coworkers who have lived their whole lives around here. After work,
during winter break, theyd introduce me to new places. It was fun see more of the San Fernando

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Valley and meet new people at the time. During work Id also meet new customers who would
express their goals and achievements. It was surprising to interact with others who aimed for
bigger set of goals and who shared their different points of view. However, I could never relate to
their perspectives and goals. My mindset has been set into other directions relating back to my
cultural traditions in which financial income is given more importance to than those who I meet.
Most of which many families in my background work hard and strive to achieve.
In my hometown most of us share equal thoughts, equal values and the goal of being
successful with a career job. Most parents work hard to provide for their kids. My parents have
worked all their lives to provide a better future for my brother and I, and as well as my friends
who have helped their parents by selling chips, chocolates, to bring some income in. Our small
income matters a lot to us. When Im back home to visit I recognize where I come from and the
lifestyle I live in. My time being there I like to have breakfast with my family to start my day. I
also hang out with my high school friends and grab something to eat while we catch up with
school and work. I sometimes spend my afternoons at my high schools field playing soccer.
Within my family the religion I identify myself with is Catholicism. When considering
religiosity in Mexico, the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in Mexican society cannot be
understated as it had been described as an integral part of Mexican culture. In fact, Catholicism
has influenced Mexican society in such a way that various church activities such as baptisms and
communions are considered social events. (Hoffman) In the Mexican culture we celebrate
various traditions that are influenced by our religion Catholicism. A girls fifteen is one of our
common celebrations in my neighborhood. Meeting new classmates I have learned new religions
like Islamism, Judaism, and Christianity. These are just a few I have learned more about through
my classmates and although theyre interesting to learn more about, I have yet to meet other

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friends who share the same religion as I. As much as I like learning about their religion, Id like
to meet others I could relate to with the same backgrounds as I. People begin to see culture
when they begin to interact with others who do not share their same beliefs and behaviors.
(Self-Identity and Culture 117) I didnt begin to see the differences between others and I until we
the topic of culture would come up. By interacting with others I learned the beliefs in our
backgrounds. The behaviors each religion performs also differs from my religion. For example in
my religion we dont practice rituals, instead we attend church on Sundays. As newborns we are
baptized and presented with godparents. We also are encouraged to do our first communion
followed by our confirmation. Catholic elites effectively redefined the boundaries of the
Mexican Catholic Community. (Gilbert) Most Mexicans follow these beliefs and all my friends
have gone through the procedure.
The dominance my parents brought upon me were demanding. There were many things I
could not do when living with my parents. And the dominance of my father rules the house. Even
now when I visit, whatever my father says goes. I never liked the dominance my dad had. It
seemed unfair to see my mom serving him and attending him at the table while we have
breakfast or dinner. I also did not appreciate how at a young age I had to become more
responsible of my chores. It always seemed like sexism to me. However in my culture most
families work this way and I guess it was just the way I was raised.
Living independently I have forgotten many of my morals, including my responsibilities.
Because I am independent I have a lot more liberty than back home. Throughout the past years I
lived under the rules of my parents which were basically the dos and donts and the rights from
wrongs. Theyd constantly remind me to ask for permission if I was ever going out. Theyd have
to know the person Id be going out with and where I was going. There was constant questioning

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if I had a boyfriend going on when Id hang out with my guy friends; it was terrible. I was tired
of hearing their rules every time Id want to go out, even if it was just to the park. Id constantly
get reminded of my responsibilities around the house. My chores were very important. The house
had to be clean by the time my dad was home or my mom would get very upset. Id also at times
be responsible for cooking for my brother and taking over my mothers role. The beliefs my
identity carries differ. Many of these morals have changed because of the surroundings I live in
now. School has been my priority and my parents remind me of that every time.
As much as Id like to bring both the environments I am involved in, there are many
boundaries that dont allow my cultural beliefs to come together. In My Hips, My Caderas the
author Alisa Valdez-Rodriguez describes the way her environment differs from the knowledge
she share with others. I agree with her because thats how I feel by not being able to bring my
two environments together. I think it is fine to be able to share my beliefs with others, but when
Im home Id like to acknowledge my background and be able to celebrate with family and
friends my common traditions.
Having two environments has brought upon me liberty and new knowledge. Im fine with
not following my traditions while Im out of my hometown, but when Im home Im under my
parents rules and the beliefs Ive followed through. Living on my own is difficult, but Ive
learned to appreciate the liberty I have. I enjoy having an identity I can share in both my
environments, and mostly the one I always go back to sharing with my parents and friend back
home. Learning about other cultures is also interesting as sure as sharing mine is to others as
well. Although I dont have the chance to share the special memories with my family near me, I
know throughout my college years I will later on share unforgettable achievements and
memories as the years go by.

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Works Cited
Hoffman, Steven, Flavio Marsigilia, and Stephanie Ayers. Religiosity and Migration
Aspirations Among Mexican Youth. Journal of International Migration and Integration,
16.1 (2015): 173-186.Print.
Gilbert, David Allen. Long Live The True Religion!: Contesting the Meaning of Catholicism in
The Mexican Reforma (18552860).n.p. :ProQuest, UMI Dissertations Publishing, 2003.
Print.