Women in Guam facts for kids

Women in Guam are amazing people who live on the island of Guam. Guam is a territory of the United States. These women play many important roles in their families and communities.

Life and Culture

In Guamanian culture, women are often in charge of family resources. This includes things like land and food. This makes them very important in the family, especially to children. Women also work in jobs and help with farming.

In Chamorro culture, the roles for boys and girls are different but balanced. For example, the oldest daughter in a Guamanian family traditionally shares power with the oldest son. The eldest daughter also helps care for her parents when they get older. Women are strong leaders in the home. Men often focus on things like hunting and fishing.

Traditional roles in Guam changed over 300 years because of colonialism. Even though men often lead in politics, women have become very active. They are involved in social, religious, and cultural groups. When Roman Catholicism arrived, it also brought changes. Women took on roles related to managing the family. In the second half of the 1900s, some women were elected as political leaders. They also became leaders in many community and government groups.

Poksai is a special type of adoption in Guam. If a Guamanian woman does not have children, she might raise a niece or nephew. This child becomes part of her family, known as the clan or extended family. This large family group is very important in Guamanian society.

English Language Skills

Chamorro women have learned English in different ways over time. Some women learned English mainly for school and official business. Others learned it for school and for their jobs. A more recent group of women uses English for both private and public life. Even with these differences, all three groups often use their original language, Chamorro, for religious activities like prayers and songs.

Showing Respect to Elders

The Chamorro people have a special way to show respect to older people. Children learn this from a young age. For example, before children go to play, they are taught to ask for blessings from their aunts and uncles. They do this by holding and gently smelling the elder's hand. This is a way to show deep respect. This tradition is similar to one used by Filipino people. Both men and women can be elders who receive this special respect.