Lidia Acts Like a Boy

On season four of «Cable Girls» Lidia pulled a new cord and started acting like a boy. A lot of the social rules about sexuality were being challenged in 1930s Spain, specifically the man and woman’s role at home.

Cause I’m out, four in the morning on the corner, rolling, doing my own thing

After a long day at work or chasing criminal men with her friends, Lidia would arrive home late to peck Carlos and her baby on the cheek. She then quickly made her way out the door to another bed with Francisco.

Tell you I love you, but when you call, I never get back.

Carlos never earned Lidia’s respect. 1930s Spain was constructed to make women very dependent on men. It was considered modern for women to work, attend school, and do anything besides keep the home, her husband, and children. Carlos’s main concerns were ensuring Lidia works, waiting for her to come home, trying to be good ‘husband material’ and providing care for their daughter by means of hired help.

Wish we could switch up the roles…

Lidia took Carlos for granted. He gave her everything she wanted as a means of «keeping» her. He was afraid to stand up to her because he was concerned about holding his family together. Carlos lived for Lidia, while Lidia lived for herself. She didn’t respect him because he allowed it.

Girl, go ahead and be (just like ‘em)

Carlos didn’t hold Lidia responsible for her faults or behavior. Instead of confrontation, he avoided her. Lidia used her courage and maintained her powerful position because she consistently confronted Carlos as well as other things in her life. She moved passed him.

Act hard when you wit’ ‘em like ‘em

Carlos was a wealthy, good-looking man in Spain. He was able to get whatever he wanted by holding his hand out. Lidia was a single woman and had to live outside of the law for many years to make a living. She always had to work for what she wanted. Waiting meant missing the opportunity to earn necessities. Carlos was waiting for Lidia’s love because he simply asked. Lidia always achieved because she physically stepped forward for the things she wanted.

Can’t be getting mad what, you mad? Can’t handle that

Lidia was a very independent woman. She had all of the freedom, while Carlos trapped himself in servitude to her. His lack of independence made Lidia less attracted to him.  In a strange way their interests were out of sync. Lidia always went home to Carlos rather than being the waiting wife.  Carlos seemed to fill a very feminine role. He prioritized family, while Lidia prioritized her friends. They both loved and cared for their daughter, but as Ciara’s song stated, Lidia was “acting like a boy.” Carlos couldn’t try hard enough to get her to stay. Maybe if he hadn’t been such a «poltroon,» Lidia would still be with him.

Sometimes I wish I did act like a boy