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'''Women in Guam'''—sometimes referred to as "Guamanian women" or "Chamorro" (also spelled as Chamoru) women, live in and are native to [[Guam]]; an [[unincorporated territory of the United States|unincorporated territory]] of the [[United States]]. According to the Guamanian culture, women are the managers of family resources like land and food, which made them more popular in the family set-up, more especially with children. Currently, women participate in jobs that belong to the wage economy category, but there are also women who work in the agricultural sector.<ref name=Perez/>
'''Women in Guam''' are residents of the [[unincorporated territory of the United States|unincorporated territory]] of the [[United States]] of [[Guam]].


== Culture ==
In the culture of [[Chamorro people]], there is a balance in gender roles for both men and women. For example,the oldest daughter in the Guamanian family shares power with the oldest son on traditional perspective. The eldest daughter has the responsibility of caring for her parents during their elder days.<ref name=Perez/> Women, by tradition, are powerful figures within the household, while men excel in areas of public affairs such as hunting and fishing.
According to Guamanian culture, women are the managers of family resources, such as land and food, which makes them popular in the family set-up, especially with children. Women participate in the wage economy and in the agricultural sector.<ref name="Perez" />


In [[Chamorro people|Chamorro]] culture the gender roles for males and females are distinct and balanced. For example, the oldest daughter in the Guamanian family traditionally shares power with the oldest son. The eldest daughter has the responsibility of caring for her parents during their elder days.<ref name="Perez" /> Women, by tradition, are powerful figures within the household, while men excel in areas such as hunting and fishing.
Guam has undergone a change after three centuries of [[colonialism]]. While men dominate the political sphere, women have become more active participants in organizations that are socially, religiously, and culturally oriented. Roman Catholicism also brought about changes in Guam. One such change was the rendering of "higher status" to the role of men in government, business, and church while women were delegated roles that were related to controlling resources of the family. During the 2nd half of the 20th century, some women of Guam were elected as political officials and as leaders in many civic and governmental organizations.<ref name=Perez/>


Traditional gender roles within Guam changed during three centuries of [[colonialism]]. While men dominate the political sphere, women have become more involved and active participants in social, religious and cultural organizations. Roman Catholicism brought changes such as increasing the status government, business, and church, while women adopted roles related to controlling the family. During the second half of the 20th century, some women were elected as political officials and as leaders in many civic and governmental organizations.<ref name="Perez" />
In practice of ''poksai,'' a common form of the [[adoption]] system in Guamanian society, childless Guamanian women may raise a niece or a nephew as a member of her domestic unit, known as the clan or extended family (the core of Guamanian society).<ref name=Perez>{{cite web|last=Hattori|first=Anne Perez|title=Guam|url=http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Guam.html|work=Countries and Their Cultures|accessdate=6 October 2013}}


In the practice of ''poksai,'' a common form of [[adoption]] in Guamanian society, childless Guamanian women may raise a niece or a nephew as a family member, then known as the ''clan'' or ''extended family'' (the core of Guamanian society).<ref name="Perez">{{cite web|last=Hattori|first=Anne Perez|title=Guam|url=http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Guam.html|work=Countries and Their Cultures|accessdate=6 October 2013}}</ref>
==The three literacy generations of Guam women==

Chamorro women are categorized into three evolutionary groups [[generations]] based on purpose and value for English literacy.The first category valued English literacy for school education and official business domains while the second category valued English literacy for school education and professional competence.<ref name=Landy/> The first category of evolutionary purpose for English language literacy purpose and the second one are closely related. The only difference existent, is the business purpose in the first category. The third generation attached value to English literacy for private and public spheres of influence. Despite the differences in purpose for English literacy, the three generations commonly use their original language [[Chamorro]] for religious purposes inclusive of prayer and songs.<ref name=Landy>{{cite web|last=Landy|first=Thomas Landy|title=Catholics and cultures|url= https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/= Matriarchal traditions endure from pre-colonial Guam|accessdate=20 April 2019}}
==English literacy==
Chamorro women are categorized into three evolutionary [[generation]]s based on how they value English literacy. The first category valued English literacy for school education and official business domains. The second valued it for schooleducation and professional competence.<ref name="Landy" /> The two generations are closely related. The only difference is the business purpose in the first. The third generation valued English literacy for private and public spheres of influence. Despite the differences, all three commonly use their original language [[Chamorro language|Chamorro]] for religious purposes inclusive of prayer and songs.<ref name="Landy">{{cite web |last=Landy|first=Thomas M.|website=Catholics and cultures |url=https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/guam-matriarchal-culture-endures-sex-considered-private-issue |title=Matriarchal traditions endure from pre-colonial Guam|access-date=20 April 2019 }}</ref>

==Elder rituals==
The Chamorro people have a unique way of showing respect to elders. Children are taught at an early age how to seek ritual blessings from them. For example, before children go to play, they are advised to seek blessings from and demonstrate respect to their aunts and uncles by holding and smelling their hands.<ref name="Landy" /> The Filipino Mano employ similar rituals, with the major purpose of demonstrating respect for elders.<ref name="Landy" /> The role of the elder is not restricted to men, but may also include women.


==Respect to elders rituals==
The people of chamoro have a unique way of showing respect to elders. children are taught in their early ages on how to seek blessings ritually from the elders. For example, before children go to play,they must look for their aunts and uncles to seek blessings from them by smelling their hands.<ref name=Landy/>The young members of the society also hold the hands of the elders and smell them to seek blessings from them and also as a way of demonstrating respect.Such a unique ritual could only be compared to the Filipino Mano which had similar characteristics,with one major purpose of demonstrating respect for elders.<ref name=Landy/>The concept of elders was not confined to men only , but women were also part of the elders, from whom the younger generation could learn from and be blessed, contrary to many chauvinist societies that regard men as the only elders in a society.
== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Women in Hawaii]]
* [[Women in Hawaii]]
* [[Women in Puerto Rico]]<ref name="undefined" />
* [[Women in Puerto Rico]]
* [[List of people from Guam]]
* [[List of people from Guam]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

Landy, T. M. (2018, July 30). Matriarchal traditions endure from pre-colonial Guam. Retrieved April 20, 2019, from https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/guam-matriarchal-culture-endures-sex-considered-private-issue
== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category|People of Guam}}
{{commons category|People of Guam}}
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* [http://guampedia.com/women-in-guam-history-2/ Women in Guam History] from Guampedia
* [http://guampedia.com/women-in-guam-history-2/ Women in Guam History] from Guampedia
* [http://www.uog.edu/dynamicdata/WomenGenderStudies.aspx?siteid=1&p=308 Women & Gender Studies Program], College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, University of Guam
* [http://www.uog.edu/dynamicdata/WomenGenderStudies.aspx?siteid=1&p=308 Women & Gender Studies Program], College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, University of Guam
*{{Cite journal|last=Dalton|first=Bridget|date=2000|title=Exploring Literacy on the Internet: To See One Another More Clearly: A Pacific Children's Literature Web Project|journal=The Reading Teacher|volume=53|issue=8|pages=684–693|issn=0034-0561|jstor=20204865}}
*[https://www.jstor.org/stable/20204865?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
*{{Cite web|url=https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/guam-matriarchal-culture-endures-sex-considered-private-issue|title=Matriarchal traditions endure from pre-colonial Guam|last=Landy|first=T. M.|date=2018-05-02|website=Catholics & Cultures|language=en|access-date=2019-05-05}}


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[[Category:Guamanian women]]
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[[Category:Oceanian diaspora in the United States]]
[[Category:Chamorro| 01]]
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[[Category:Women by country|Guam]]
[[Category:Women by country|Guam]]
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Latest revision as of 07:39, 15 September 2024

Women in Guam are residents of the unincorporated territory of the United States of Guam.

Culture

[edit]

According to Guamanian culture, women are the managers of family resources, such as land and food, which makes them popular in the family set-up, especially with children. Women participate in the wage economy and in the agricultural sector.[1]

In Chamorro culture the gender roles for males and females are distinct and balanced. For example, the oldest daughter in the Guamanian family traditionally shares power with the oldest son. The eldest daughter has the responsibility of caring for her parents during their elder days.[1] Women, by tradition, are powerful figures within the household, while men excel in areas such as hunting and fishing.

Traditional gender roles within Guam changed during three centuries of colonialism. While men dominate the political sphere, women have become more involved and active participants in social, religious and cultural organizations. Roman Catholicism brought changes such as increasing the status government, business, and church, while women adopted roles related to controlling the family. During the second half of the 20th century, some women were elected as political officials and as leaders in many civic and governmental organizations.[1]

In the practice of poksai, a common form of adoption in Guamanian society, childless Guamanian women may raise a niece or a nephew as a family member, then known as the clan or extended family (the core of Guamanian society).[1]

English literacy

[edit]

Chamorro women are categorized into three evolutionary generations based on how they value English literacy. The first category valued English literacy for school education and official business domains. The second valued it for schooleducation and professional competence.[2] The two generations are closely related. The only difference is the business purpose in the first. The third generation valued English literacy for private and public spheres of influence. Despite the differences, all three commonly use their original language Chamorro for religious purposes inclusive of prayer and songs.[2]

Elder rituals

[edit]

The Chamorro people have a unique way of showing respect to elders. Children are taught at an early age how to seek ritual blessings from them. For example, before children go to play, they are advised to seek blessings from and demonstrate respect to their aunts and uncles by holding and smelling their hands.[2] The Filipino Mano employ similar rituals, with the major purpose of demonstrating respect for elders.[2] The role of the elder is not restricted to men, but may also include women.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Hattori, Anne Perez. "Guam". Countries and Their Cultures. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d Landy, Thomas M. "Matriarchal traditions endure from pre-colonial Guam". Catholics and cultures. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
[edit]