The purpose of this study was to explore the parenting experiences of second-generation Mexican American mothers in the Los Angeles area. A total of 14 womyn, mothers of at least one child, participated in the two focus groups were conducted. Parenting style, disciplinary methods, parental involvement, core family values, and the benefits and hardships of a hybrid identity were addressed.

The results identified a preference for authoritative parenting style and negative punishment disciplinary methods by second-generation Mexican American parents. These second-generation Mexican American mothers preserved core family values such as familismo and respeto from their childhood families and reported being more involved in their children’s lives.

Overall, these Mexican American womyn appreciated their Mexican background and embraced the Americanized aspects of their identity, which enabled them to become agents of change in their families. Recommendations include the creation of policies that affirm parenting support services in organizations serving families, particularly for ethnic minority groups.