The Catholic Church of Mexico aims to keep women subservient to men. All women are thought to be manifestations of the Virgin Mary and so should maintain their virginity prior to marriage, and maintaining the innocence during marriage. At the same time, the Church teaches that women are inherently evil. In the Catholic Church, women are “like serpents.” They cannot be trusted, and should look to men for protection and guidance. Folklore also tends to portray women as treacherous and malicious. With the combined view of the church and of the Mexican macho, a woman has had little choice in how to live her life. She could either be the ideal virgin girl, or be a mother and caretaker of the house, under the command of her husband.