Latina girls speak out: Stereotypes, gender and relationship dynamics

This study explores how 19 "high-risk" Latina girls viewed themselves, as well as how "others" perceived them. The views of eight clinicians were also sought. The girls viewed themselves positively, but they believed "others" saw them as "lowlifes," "cholas" and "always pregnant." Clinicians framed Latinas' "problematic" behaviors as products of the "Latino culture." They neglected explanations involving histories of abuse, trauma, violence and poverty. The girls did speak about such matters, and these comments suggest that young Latinas have an impressive ability to resist the stereotypes while also challenging the simplistic dualisms that are often said to characterize Latino culture.