Rosario left Carlito home in Mexico with his granny so that she could go to the United States to try and make a better life for herself and for him. She was a single mother and there was nothing in Mexico for her. She loved Carlito so much that she was willing to risk her life crossing the border illegally, but she loved him to much to risk his.
I think that Rosario made this decision with a very heavy heart. She had nothing to give Carlito and felt like this was the only way that she could provide him with the life that she felt like he deserved. He was her whole life and she wanted him to have everything and she knew that staying in Mexico this would not be possible. I know, being a mother myself, that this was probably the hardest thing that she had ever done, but I also know that I would do anything in my power to give my boys the best life possible.
Carlito faced several problems while his mother was gone with the biggest being the failing health of his granny. He had to grow up very fast. He held a job, went to school, and helped take care of his sick granny. He missed Rosario so much and the only thing that made it tolerable was the weekly phone calls he received from her. Rosario had problems as well. She not only missed Carlito, she was in the United States illegally. She had to work several jobs as a cleaning women to make money and because she was here illegally she was taken advantage of with no recourse. She was even considering marrying a man that she did not love so that she could stay in the United States and finally send for Carlito.
You ask if a mother in the United States would make the same choice and I would have to say no. I really do not think so. We are so fortunate in this country to have many options available to us. First of all there are usually family members ready willing and able to step up and help. There are also many government programs available to aide those who are willing to help themselves. We have educational assistance, housing assistance, food stamps and other programs available. I know that Rosario had a difficult decision and it makes me realize how lucky I am to be an American and live in a country where others would risk their life to live here.
I enjoyed this movie and found it easy to watch even being in Spanish with English subtitles.
Y Tu Mama Tambien
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Y Tu Mama Tambien
This was a very interesting film for me because I have a 17 year old son. I
cannot even imagine him behaving in such a way or his friends ...
15 years ago
Sherry,
ReplyDeleteI know I agree when you say that she risk her life to give her child a better life. Many immigrants today risk their lives and died in the attempt. Relatives in Mexico will never know what happened to those. Interesting thought.
Would you explain what are those options that mothers have in the U.S. that other mothers do not have in other countries?
I also enjoyed this movie. I felt sympathy for Rosario and her situation. It was eye opening to see the struggles of the life she left behind and the life she moved on to. The deep love she had for her son was felt throughout the entire movie.
ReplyDeleteCarlito was such an intelegent boy for such a young age. It was amazing how he just stepped up and took care of his grandmother while longing for his mother. The excitement he had for the short weekly phone calls expressed his true love for his mother. And the decision to go and find her to be with her was unbelievalbe.
I feel women in the United States do make similar choices for the well being of their families. I hear stories of single mothers who hold down multiple jobs, jobs that they would never have taken had they not had to provide for their families. Women who stay with men they do not love because they can't provide for their children on their own. They may not have to risk crossing to another country, but they give up everything they dreamed life would be to provide for their children.
In the United States women have the same educational opportunities as men do therefore can obtain job that will help to support their family. If someone is a single mother and struggling there are government agencies to assist them. They can get assistance for education, housing, child care and food. No matter how tuff times may get, and they can and do get very hard, it still a great country full of opportunity for all.
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