In the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in southern Mexico, and in the heart of the Zapotec culture, the muxes are considered as a third gender within society. The muxes are integrated in the generic organization of the community and develop socially recognized roles in both the socio-cultural, and within the family.Some Zapotec mothers raised one of the sons in traditionally female roles. A muxe son is an economic and emotional support for women. They are educated to become good workers and caregivers for their parents in old age. The weight of the female universe within the Zapotec culture and strong ethnic identity legitimizes muxes and his figure in society, however, the clash between tradition and fast modernity that permeates society Itzmo, is leading to penetration of marginalization and violence, unknown phenomena to date; putting at risk the traditional model.
