Children of the Revolution: Violence, Inequality, and Hope in Nicaraguan Migration (Globalization in Everyday Life)

Andrea, Silvia, Ana, and Pamela were impoverished youth when the Sandinista revolution took hold in Nicaragua in 1979. Against the backdrop of a war and economic crisis, the revolution gave them hope of a better future — if not for themselves, then for their children. But, when it became clear that their hopes were in vain, they chose to emigrate. Children of the Revolution tells these four women's stories up to their adulthood in Italy. Laura J. Enríquez's compassionate account highlights the particularities of each woman's narrative, and shows how their lives were shaped by social factors such as their class, gender, race, ethnicity, and immigration status. These factors limited the options available to them, even as the women challenged the structures and violence surrounding them. By extending the story to include the children, and now grandchildren, of the four women, Enríquez demonstrates how their work abroad provided opportunities for their families that they themselves never had. Hence, these stories reveal that even when a revolution fails to fundamentally transform a society in a lasting way, seeds of change may yet take hold. "Andrea, Silvia, Ana, and Pamela were impoverished youth when the Sandinista revolution took hold in Nicaragua in 1979. They attained adolescence and young adulthood against the backdrop of a war and economic crisis. But the revolution gave them hope of a better future - if not for themselves, then for their children. When it became clear that it would be difficult to offer the next generation real social mobility in Nicaragua, they chose to emigrate to make it possible. Children of the Revolution tells these four women's stories from childhood to being immigrants in Italy, where they sought that brighter future. In recounting their experiences in their native country and abroad, Laura J. Enríquez's compassionate account highlights the particularities of each woman's narrative, and shows how their lives were shaped by social factors such as their class, gender, race, ethnicity, and immigration status. In so doing, Enríquez considers the long-running debate concerning the relationship between agency and social structures. The book illustrates that even when social structures enable agency, the options may be limited and the actions selected will be shaped by one's social position. In addition to telling Andrea, Silvia, Ana, and Pamela's stories, Enríquez also describes the distinct lives that their children, and now grandchildren, lead. She demonstrates how the women's work abroad provided opportunities for their families that they themselves never had. Hence, these stories reveal that even when a revolution fails to fundamentally transform a society in a long-lasting way, seeds of change may remain behind"-- Provided by publisher Table of contents Acknowledgments 1 Situating the Stories of Andrea, Silvia, Ana, and Pamela 2 Childhood and Coming of Age in Nicaragua 3 Violent Expressions of Gender Inequalities 4 Emigrating for their Children to Get Ahead 5 Th e Children of Andrea, Ana, and Pamela Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index Tracing the lives of four women as they came of age in revolutionary-era Nicaragua and later immigrated to Italy, this book examines social agency and its limits in the context of present-day Latin America and Europe.