Hispanic Heritage Month: Yes, There Are Latina NotMoms

Forget Cinco de Mayo – September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month!

The national event celebrates “the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.”

Several Latin American countries mark the anniversary of their independence on 9/15.  Independence Day for Mexico and Chile, as well as Columbus Day (Dia de la Raza), fall within the 30-day period.  Much love this month to our Latina NotMoms! 

In 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau and Pew Research Center revealed that white women are much more likely to be childless than women of color. Using age 44 to mark an average end of childbearing, data show that 20.6% of white women were childless, compared with 17.2% of black women, 15.9% of Asian women and 12.4% of Hispanic women.

Conclusion? Latinas are more likely to have children than the rest of us.  Gee, doesn’t THAT keep the stereotypes alive.

But…if that’s true, then my thoughts fly to Latinas without kids who may be living that “square peg/round hole” life…in Spanish.

A poster at Latina.com asked, “Is it un-Latina not to want a family?”

Public voices of “By Chance” Latina NotMoms are harder to find, but they’re out there. Last April, in her 13th year struggling with infertility, the director of the Center for Hispanic Leadership told CNN of how it felt to be the only childless woman in a large, extended family. She asked,  ” As a Latina, isn’t it my God-given right to be a mami?”

Usted no está solo, mi NotMom hermanas.* I can’t wait for more of you to speak up and speak loud…online and off.

*You are not alone, my NotMom sisters.