In a culture where machismo dominates, my existence as both a woman and the eldest daughter has been clouded by the notion that I should prepare for a future in which my sole purpose is to cater to anyone and everyone. This mindset coupled with being the only daughter in the family has led to what feels like the weight of the world on my shoulders. Eldest daughters and daughters, in general, have shown to be fundamental to the way Latino families run. We can think of the role of eldest daughters within Latino households as pillars holding up the structure of the family unit.
More and more recently, I’ve come across TikToks, posts, and other forms of media that have made me feel seen in my role as the eldest daughter. Often, being the oldest and first-generation coincides with being the first in everything. The first to navigate higher education, the first to obtain a degree, and the first to address taboo subjects like mental health.
My own experience and that of others who relate begs the question: How do these pressures affect existing mental health issues within the Latinx community? For the community, there are plenty of mental health stigmas that exacerbate the pressures. This can ostracize folks and prevent them from discussing their struggles with their family as well as keep them from seeking help. At the same time, the perception of mental health issues being associated with being “loca/o” — a highly problematic depiction of people facing mental health issues — heightens the fear and shame that prevents people from speaking out. Because often, personal mental health issues are pushed aside so as not to embarrass the rest of the family, not taking into account what that does to the person. These existing stigmas are further impacted by gender and being the oldest.
Read more at HipLatina.com.
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