River of Hope

“From the Moment I Made My Wedding Vows My Suffering Began”: Calidad in the Nineteenth-Century Mexican Borderlands

“…Laura Shelton points out that in contemporary Sonora, women who lost these suitscould lose custody of children over the age of three, and if guilty of adultery, their forfeited their dowries and community property. 55 They could also face punishment by seclusion in a casa de honor or casa de depósito, a private home charged with "correcting" the behavior of a woman who ran afoul of family law and social norms. 56 Indeed, these sanctions and the potential damage to both [arynerswere sufficiently severe that Omar Valerio-Jiménez, in his study of Tamaulipas during a similar timeframe, argues that the "threat of divorce" was an effective tool for pressuring many spouses to "reform."…”

“…56 Indeed, these sanctions and the potential damage to both [arynerswere sufficiently severe that Omar Valerio-Jiménez, in his study of Tamaulipas during a similar timeframe, argues that the "threat of divorce" was an effective tool for pressuring many spouses to "reform." 57 Bárbara Aguirre also decried her husband's assault on her property rights. In her arguments, Aguirre often betrayed her attitudes by denouncing insults toward her status.…”

“…58 Despite a lack of political rights, under Spanish and Mexican law, women maintained their property while married. 59 Aguirre firmly defended these rights against Velarde's usurpation of her goods.…”