The Chicana has traditionally been seen as a silent partner in a marriage and culture: one who is totally subservient to her husband and devoted only to his needs and her children's needs. This research questions if this role is changing and, if so, how and to what degree. A tragedy of the Chicana's future is that the barriers to development are matters of image and self-concept since the Chicana has practically been paralyzed by the stereotyped identity awarded to her by the dominant reference group. The importance of this role as housewife and mother has been overlooked; her power in the domestic sphere is extensive and the Mexican American household can be defined as matrifocal. The Chicana is making adjustments in her role that coincide with the implementation of the sweeping social changes of the 1960's and 1970's in the United States: increased educational attainment is allowing upward socio-economic mobility, weakened influence of the Catholic Church is changing attitudes about birth control and a woman's role outside the home, and increased intermarriage of Hispanics with non-Hispanics is resulting in cultural melding. However, there exists a common desire among those interviewed to maintain and preserve cultural identity. In part of that heritage resides a deep commitment to the home and family. The Chicana is still working for her family and her people whenever possible in the best way available to her; only the sphere of opportunity has changed. (NEC)