Border
Health
A
web site meant to educate and inform readers how living on the United States-Mexico
border
and working in the maquiladoras affects women's health.
Go back to Women
on the Border
Go to the WS200
Homepage
The United States-Mexico
border extends for 1952 miles, reaching from Brownsville, Texas to Tijuana,
Mexico. Throughout their mutual history, these two countries have
progressed from a state of alienation to a state of interdependence.
The peoples of the United States and Mexico coalesce to form a culture
unique to the border region.
Today, the maquiladora
system defines life on the border. The maquiladora system was established
on the premise that it would mutually benefit both countries economically.
The United States would gain opportunities for lower production costs utilizing
labor forces, reduced wage and tariff breaks. Mexico would gain job
opportunities and a potential boost to their economy. However, the
maquiladoras have brought many serious problems to the border region.
One serious issue is how the maquiladoras are negatively effecting the
surrounding environment as well as the health of its workers, the majority
of which are women.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in effect
since 1994, has the potential to alleviate many of the social and environmental
problems associated with the maquiladora industry. Two valuable side
agreements to NAFTA, concerning labor and the environment, allow for public
and governmental cooperation to oversee the maquiladora industry.
Although still in its infancy, NAFTA has already become a force in implementing
change.
The rate of sexually transmitted diseases is alarmingly increasing
since the formation of the maquiladoras. Lack of education and ignorance
are the most prominent factors attributing to the great number of women
suffering from venereal diseases. Sadly, the often insufficient information
about sexual health ties directly into family planning. Large families
are of great importance and strongly encouraged in Mexico because of the
idea that children bring happiness and security. Consequently, the
pregnancy rate is very high and the abortion rate is minimal.
Pregnancy discrimination is a widespread problem in the maquiladoras.
Although Mexico has labor laws, the government does little to uphold the
laws and protect the women. Where does the responsibility then fall?
There is much debate surroundnig pregnancy discrimination, Mexico's Labor
Laws, and who should be responsible for the well-being of pregnant women.
Complicating women's lives even more are the stressors and
mental health effects associated with working in the maquiladoras and living
the border lifestyle that the factories promote. The border-factory
lifestyle contributes to mental health problems such as depression and
severe anxiety, which in turn have serious consequences on women's physical
health. Therefore, in examining the overall health situation of the border
area, mental health must be taken as seriously as more physically manifested
health hazards.
Please visit the Bibliography
for this web site, compiled by Erin Goodman.
This web site was created
by students in the Spring 1999 Women and Western Culture class taught by
Dr. Kari McBride at the
University
of Arizona.
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