chonga is a Spanish-derived term used especially in South Florida, often to indicate a working-class, sexualized, aggressive, and emotionally expressive young woman.
Chongas are also a distinct subculture, believed to have developed in Miami in the late 20th century. Members are typically young, working-class Latina women. In South Florida the term is usually considered a pejorative, though some young women are proud to identify themselves as such. While feminist scholarship on chongas is limited, early work by
gender studies scholar Jillian Hernandez has suggested that the chonga identity is an "emerging
icon", and that it can be empowering for working-class women.
Chonga characteristics
21st-century chongas will often exhibit at least some of the following characteristics:
- Cheap but sexy clothing, which often includes "Brazilian jeans"[note 1] and revealing tops, a preference for gelled hair, synthetic nails and gaudy jewelry, often including fake gold, bangles and earring hoops.[note 2]
- Sexual availability, often along with a preference to be surrounded by men.
- Hostility to other young women, unless they are fellow members of the same chonga crew.
- Loud, emotionally expressive and aggressive behavior.[2][4]
Not all chongas live up to these stereotypes; for example, sometimes women whose conduct is the most overtly sexualized will in fact be among the least interested in actual heterosexual encounters—in some cases chonga behavior is perhaps best understood as a kind of bonding between female friends.
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