The identity of emigrants from Mexico City

• Main Authors: Ricardo Sabates, Fabio Pettirino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México 2007-01-01
• Series: Papeles de Población
• Online Access: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=11205208

This paper investigates the identity ofemigrants from Mexico City and itsconsequences for adaptation in the City ofLeón. Specifically it describes how identitiesare formed, investigates the origins, uses, andpossible connotations of identity names ofmigrants from Mexico City and locals fromLeon. Our findings suggest that although thereare common identity elements between internalmigrants and locals, the interaction betweenthem brought up differential aspects of theiridentity in terms of religious beliefs and workethics. The identity name chilango, given to aperson from Mexico City, carries a negativeconnotation and it can create a stereotype and arisk of prejudice. Since a person called thisname might face difficulties integrating withthe host society, migrants change thestereotyped behaviours attached to such aname. Therefore, the ability of migrantsinterviewed in this study to integrate has notbeen prohibited by an identity-based conflictwith locals, but integration has required facingnegative stereotypes and prejudice attached to aperson from Mexico City.