¶ … Latin Woman: I Just met a Girl Named Maria by Judith Ortiz Cofer. Specifically, it will discuss why I agree with a quote in the essay, "The transformation, as I see it, has to occur at a much more individual level" (Cofer). Judith Ortiz Cofer writes of cultural differences in her essay, "The Myth of the Latin Woman," and these cultural differences often cause heartache and difficulty as new residents attempt to blend in with American culture and mores. Our culture sees Latin women as "hot" and perhaps even promiscuous. However, this is not the case. In order for Latin women to transform this view, it takes time and effort - it cannot happen overnight.
It is often very difficult for new residents to blend in with American culture. Latina women have many problems because the culture in Latin countries is quite different, and women are seen differently there. They are often placed on pedestals, and their actions are seen as free and open in a society that encourages this openness. When these women immigrate to the United States, our culture...
Cofer writes of feeling left out at parties and in society, and one of the reasons is gender identification and labeling. Cofer, as a Latina female, was viewed differently than she viewed herself. She was labeled, and she had to learn how to transform both how she was perceived, and her own reaction to gender labeling. Obviously, it was uncomfortable for her, and she did not like the "hot" stigma attached to her. She had to change gradually, first because she had to grow to understand what was seen as acceptable in American society, and because it is difficult to change overnight, it takes time to make life and cultural changes, and she had to deal with the reaction of her family, too.
Latina women are not any more promiscuous than American women are; it is the stereotypes our culture applies to them that make them appear this way. Latina women have to change their behavior when they come to the United States, and this transformation is often difficult,…
