On Responsibility (and Laziness)

I am a cultural anthropologist who conducts research with deaf children and their families in Mexico City. Echarle ganas is a Mexican colloquial expression that roughly translates to “you have to give it your all.” “Échale ganas!” or “work at it!” is often heard as a rallying cry when things are not going as desired. This saying is typically meant to be motivating, but it can also provoke humiliation and induce blame, especially when set in opposition to flojera (laziness). Participants in my research described hearing this call to action from family members, doctors and teachers. I highlight echarle ganas in order to underline the circulation of isolationist and individualistic attitudes that parents of deaf children encounter during their support-seeking quests for information about deafness and needed services.