Women in Guam are residents of the

unincorporated territory Territories of the United States are sub-national administrative divisions overseen by the federal government of the United States. The various American territories differ from the U.S. states and tribal reservations as they are not sove ...

of the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

Guam Guam (; ch, Guåhan ) is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. It is the westernmost point and territory of the United States (reckoned from the geographic cent ...

Culture

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. In

Chamorro Chamorro may refer to: * Chamorro people, the indigenous people of the Mariana Islands in the Western Pacific * Chamorro language, an Austronesian language indigenous to The Marianas * Chamorro Time Zone, the time zone of Guam and the Northern Mar ...

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. 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 Colonialism is a practice or policy of control by one people or power over other people or areas, often by establishing colony, colonies and generally with the aim of economic dominance. In the process of colonisation, colonisers may impose the ...

. 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. 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).

English literacy

Chamorro women are categorized into three evolutionary

generation A generation refers to all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively. It can also be described as, "the average period, generally considered to be about 20–⁠30 years, during which children are born and gr ...

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. 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

for religious purposes inclusive of prayer and songs.

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. The Filipino Mano employ similar rituals, with the major purpose of demonstrating respect for elders. The role of the elder is not restricted to men, but may also include women.

References

External links

Guam Women's Clinic

Women in Guam History
from Guampedia
Women & Gender Studies Program
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, University of Guam * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Women In Guam Women in Oceania History of women in the United States Micronesian people Guamanian women 01 Pacific Islands American 01

Culture

English literacy

Elder rituals

See also

References

External links