Using either "I Want to Be Miss America" or "The Struggle to Be an All-American Girl," analyze how stereotypes and social expectations are portrayed within the text. In your response. please use two examples from the text to support your answer.
"The Struggle to Be an All-American Girl" by Elizabeth Wong is a powerful memoir that highlights the challenges Asian-American girls face in trying to conform to the expectations of American society. Throughout the text, stereotypes and social expectations play a crucial role in shaping the experiences of the protagonist.
One example of a stereotype highlighted in the text is the notion that Asians are hardworking and excel in academics. The protagonist's parents constantly pressure her to study hard and achieve high grades, even at the expense of her social life and personal interests. Wong writes, "There was too much studying to do. Too many tests to take. And not enough hours in a day" (Wong 285). This stereotype not only places undue pressure on Asian-American students but also perpetuates the belief that academic achievement is the only measure of success.
Another social expectation depicted in the text is the idea that Asian-American girls are expected to be quiet, submissive, and obedient. In the story, the protagonist struggles to express herself and assert her individuality in the face of these expectations. Wong describes how her parents constantly remind her to speak softly and avoid confrontation, asserting that "an American girl is loud and pushy, while a Chinese girl should be quiet and modest" (Wong 289). This expectation not only undermines the protagonist's self-confidence but also perpetuates the stereotype that Asian women are passive and lacking in agency.
These examples illustrate how stereotypes and social expectations can be harmful and limiting for individuals, particularly those from marginalized groups. By challenging these stereotypes and expectations, Wong encourages readers to embrace their own identities and resist the pressures to conform to narrow societal norms.
In "I Want to Be Miss America" by Julia Alvarez, the author explores the impact of stereotypes and social expectations on young girls growing up in a multicultural society. Two examples from the text that demonstrate these themes are the author's desire to fit into the mainstream American culture and the pressure she feels to conform to societal beauty standards.
Firstly, Alvarez depicts her longing to assimilate into the dominant American culture, highlighting the pressure that many second-generation immigrants experience to conform. She describes how she and her sisters yearned "to be tall and blonde like Miss America" and how they practiced speaking English with "Oooooo-ahhhh intonation" to sound more American. This example illustrates the internalization of the stereotype that the ideal American woman is tall, blonde, and speaks perfect English. The author's desire to be accepted into mainstream society demonstrates the immense influence of societal expectations on individual identity.
Secondly, Alvarez explores the pervasive influence of beauty standards and the pressure young girls face to conform to them. She recounts how she and her sisters were encouraged to use lemon juice in their hair to lighten it and to constrict their bodies using tight-fitting clothing to appear curvier. The author says, "I shaped my body into curves — all curves, like those discovered by nineteenth-century architects" which demonstrates the absurd lengths girls are willing to go to meet societal expectations of beauty. This example emphasizes the ways in which stereotypes and social expectations mold girls' perception of themselves and their bodies.
In summary, both "I Want to Be Miss America" and "The Struggle to Be an All-American Girl" shed light on the impact of stereotypes and social expectations on young girls. Alvarez's personal experiences highlight the pressure to assimilate into the dominant culture and conform to beauty standards. By examining the desire to fit in and the pressure to conform to societal norms, these texts demonstrate the pervasive influence of stereotypes and social expectations on individual identity and self-worth.