Drinking and working in a cantina: misrecognition and the threat of stigma

Abstract

Poor women are often compelled to accept jobs that jeopardise their health and their social reputations. Cantineras are recently immigrated Latinas employed in working-class Latino bars (cantinas) where they are hired as waitresses to earn sales commissions from beer purchased for them by male clients seeking female companionship. Narratives solicited from 31 cantineras revealed the work subculture of local cantinas, where drinking is a primary work obligation and where men expect sexual favours as a quid pro quo for beers they buy. This paper describes strategies that cantineras adopt to downplay their drinking and to disguise sex-trading practices. This distortion or 'misrecognition' of work-related practices functions to manage cantineras' fear of being stigmatised as workers and devalued as individuals. We argue that misrecognition in this context represents more than simple attempts at denial or to uphold a public image. Rather, it is a strategy employed by cantineras in order to function adaptively under oppressive work circumstances. Confronting stigma leads cantineras to adopt social and cognitive strategies that, while minimising social damage in the near term, can lead to devastating health and social consequences over time.

Working the Pony

“…These women earn a living by working as waitresses, many of whom earn sales commissions based on the beer they drink, consumed as part of an entertainment contract, acquired by and paid for a male bar customer. This “drinking for wages” phenomenon has been reported previously (Fernández-Esquer, 2003), as well as the role that stigma plays in the occupational performance of cantineras (Fernández-Esquer & Agoff, 2012). Previous studies conducted among Latina women who work in bars have documented their HIV-related sex risk practices (Ayala et al, 1996; Fernández-Esquer, 2003; Ferreira-Pinto et al, 1996) but their drinking at work has not been explored.…”

“…This "drinking for wages" phenomenon has been reported previously (Fernández-Esquer, 2003), as well as the role that stigma plays in the occupational performance of cantineras (Fernández-Esquer & Agoff, 2012). These women earn a living by working as waitresses, many of whom earn sales commissions based on the beer they drink, consumed as part of an entertainment contract, acquired by and paid for a male bar customer.…”

“…In the 13 years since this project was completed, we have documented the existence of cantinas in other parts of Texas, and in 2008, we validated the continued existence of the drinking for wages pattern (Fernández-Esquer & Agoff, 2012). As the primary goal of the parent study completed in 2001 was to test a cancer prevention program, the measures of drinking included in the original questionnaire did not include all relevant variables to fully capture this practice.…”

“…Many immigrant Latinas leave families behind in their countries of origin and find themselves without a supportive social network after their arrival to the United States. Consequences of violating these gender norms may include stigma, discrimination, and the loss of their social standing as "decent women" (Fernández-Esquer & Agoff, 2012). The drinking of cantineras deviates from Latino social and drinking norms that discourage women from heavy drinking (Zemore, 2005).…”

“…The absence of significant others not only leads to loneliness and isolation, but when economic hardships are present, their absence also creates the opportunity to venture beyond traditional occupations and into jobs that violate social network and gender expectations and promote health-compromising behaviors (Fernández-Esquer, Diamond, & Atkinson, 2010;Umberson, Crosnoe, & Reczek, 2011). They are also likely to be regarded by the local community as disreputable, and, in a manner similar to other women around the world, they are perceived and treated by men who visit these establishments as easy sexual targets (Fernández-Esquer & Agoff, 2012;Norris, Kitali,&Worby, 2009). From a traditional Latino culture perspective, a woman who drinks in a bar patronized only by men is violating three gender norm expectations: (1) Women should not drink heavily, (2) in the company of male strangers, and (3) in a public establishment designated as the social domain of men.…”