Book

Across the tracks: Mexican-Americans in a Texas city

Published for the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health by the University of Texas PressAustin • Published In 1966 • Pages: xxvii, 266

By: Rubel, Arthur J..

Abstract
This is a general ethnography on Mexican-American life in 'New Lots' (a pseudonym), a city in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. It contains general information and the history of 'New Lots,' information on the family, the PALOMILLA, political behavior, formal organizations, illness behavior and attitudes, and comparative and theoretical information of the nature of social relations. The theoretical conclusion is that '… the anxiety and disaffection which recur … when chicanos discuss their relationships with nonfamily are a function of the incongruity which exists between the family-oriented social system … and the larger and far more complex society with which they must contend' (p. 239). This work has been severely criticized for negatively stereotyping Chicanos and for presenting them as victims of their culture.
Subjects
Acculturation and culture contact
Family relationships
Sorcery
Ingroup antagonisms
Cliques
History
Social relationships and groups
Elections
Sodalities
Theory of disease
Magical and mental therapy
Medical therapy
Shamans and psychotherapists
culture
Chicanos
HRAF PubDate
2002
Region
North America
Sub Region
Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Anthropologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Marlene Martin ; 1986
Field Date
1957-1959
Coverage Place
'New Lots' city in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, United States
Notes
[by] Arthur J. Rubel
Includes bibliographical references (p. [247]-254)
LCCN
65021299
LCSH
Mexican Americans