The Disobedient Daughters and the Liberal State
Part 1
The four parts of the videos examine the problems faced during the state formation of Mexico in the nineteenth century. In the four parts of the video, I wish to discuss two questions. The first question is what are the aspects of a state that you see reflected in the videos about Mexico? The second question is what were some of the challenges to the construction of a state in Mexico in the 19thcentury? As reflected in the video, the aspect of state was a mixture of indigenous and Europeans and the conflicts over marriage. The process of construction of the state in Mexico underwent some challenges such as lack of wealth and political instability.
Part 2
Rapto, as defined in the Mexican states, is a practice where men kidnap women with the intention of seduction (Sloan, 2008). The disobedient young women in Mexican used to seduce young men to marry them without their parent‘s authority. However, rapto was not forced but was a planned agreement.
Part 3
Many Mexicans relate rapto with marriage while some cases centre it as forced sexual intercourse. However, rapto can be used to force parental consent of the union or as a ritual step towards marriage. The dowry paid or marriage was used as a means to repair the honour of the young girl and her family while nullifying the criminal charges against the offender. In the 19th century, young people planned their escape intending to form a union. Their relationship was based on affection and love and liberated themselves from their parental authority (Sloan, 2008). Rapto diminished the patria potestas whereby the parental authority over the youngsters was allowed. Working-class families moved to court to manage their rebellious children despite the poor families. The characteristic is portrayed when a small upper class controls the bigger part of the country’s property while the majority live in poverty.
References
Sloan, K. (2008). Runaway daughter’s seduction, elopement, and honour in nineteenth-century. Mexico: University of New Mexico Press.