Amina Vs. The Myth Of A Latin Woman

2 Pages 524 Words

The point of views in the essays "The Myth of the Latin Woman" by Judith Ortiz Cofer, and Shirley Saad’s “Amina”. Cofer’s essay is about a Latina women overcoming the cross-cultural stereotypes given to her by society. Whereas Saad’s essay was about a women who lived a life ruled by her culture’s expectations.

Cofer was brought up in a family where her life was designed by her parents. Through her childhood, she was kept under strict watch, since her behavior would affect their honor. She was trained to behave like a proper Latin Senorita, and to be dressed traditionally. Cofer states, “My mother has told me about dressing in her best party clothes on Saturday nights and going to the towns plaza to promenade with her girlfriends in front of the boys they liked” (161). Often when going to an American party, she found herself to be overdressed, when she could have been dressed in something casual like everyone else. Although she was different that Americans, the cultural difference made her a stronger woman. She didn’t want to be stereotyped just because she was Hispanic and from another country. Cofer was lucky to have a culture that allowed her to be personally independent, and to get a formal education.

On the Other hand, there are some woman who have no personal independence because their culture will not allow them to. In Saad’s essay, Amina had little or no opportunity to make something of herself. Being a woman, Amina’s only duty was give birth to at least one male, and to be a housewife. Amina had previously given birth to three girls, and was about to give birth to the fourth. Her most significant fear was it being another girl, for there was a large chance her husband would take another wife. In the Middle East, every couple needs to have at least one boy who can carry the father’s name and inherit the father’s fortune. Amina and her husband Hamid both suffered a great deal of pressures from b...