Gender Stereotypes In Gary Soto's 'Looking For Work'
Ivan Martinez
Professor E. Hendrick
English 115-601
Feb 8, 2013
Mexican Macho Man
Ever since I was young I always witnessed examples of men being more dominant than women, the role of macho man has been in my family for generations. The way most Mexican families function is the father is the provider and worker. The mother stays at home cleans, cooks, and takes care of the children. Also the father would be the one who gives out advice to the kids and makes the family decisions. On the other hand Gary Soto, who wrote "Looking for work" wasn't influenced by his father. Soto as a kid was influenced by television shows. Just because you are Mexican doesn't mean you’re going to be raised with the idea of being a macho man. A while back …show more content…
It's a saying in Mexican culture that women must obey men no matter what. Men are the workers and providers for the family, who make all the decisions. While the mother stays at home, does chores and takes care of the kids. The first example I have is my aunt, she does all those things my uncle demands her too. I would go to Tijuana about four times a month for about 5 years and would always see this, my uncle telling his wife and daughters what to do. Till this day many Mexican families still live by the roles. I dislike this idea, and I’m against it. I would like to get my uncle to change and treat women with the respect they deserve. I'm Mexican and I treat women with much respect. Just because you are Mexican doesn’t insinuate that you’re going to miss treat women and act like a macho man towards them. On the other hand I can relate to being influenced as a kid like Soto " For weeks I had drunk Kool-Aid and watched morning reruns of Father Knows Best, Who’s family was so uncomplicated and its routine that I very much wanted to imitate it" (27). He had a brother and sister, Soto’s influence as a kid were TV shows since his father was never
Professor E. Hendrick
English 115-601
Feb 8, 2013
Mexican Macho Man
Ever since I was young I always witnessed examples of men being more dominant than women, the role of macho man has been in my family for generations. The way most Mexican families function is the father is the provider and worker. The mother stays at home cleans, cooks, and takes care of the children. Also the father would be the one who gives out advice to the kids and makes the family decisions. On the other hand Gary Soto, who wrote "Looking for work" wasn't influenced by his father. Soto as a kid was influenced by television shows. Just because you are Mexican doesn't mean you’re going to be raised with the idea of being a macho man. A while back …show more content…
It's a saying in Mexican culture that women must obey men no matter what. Men are the workers and providers for the family, who make all the decisions. While the mother stays at home, does chores and takes care of the kids. The first example I have is my aunt, she does all those things my uncle demands her too. I would go to Tijuana about four times a month for about 5 years and would always see this, my uncle telling his wife and daughters what to do. Till this day many Mexican families still live by the roles. I dislike this idea, and I’m against it. I would like to get my uncle to change and treat women with the respect they deserve. I'm Mexican and I treat women with much respect. Just because you are Mexican doesn’t insinuate that you’re going to miss treat women and act like a macho man towards them. On the other hand I can relate to being influenced as a kid like Soto " For weeks I had drunk Kool-Aid and watched morning reruns of Father Knows Best, Who’s family was so uncomplicated and its routine that I very much wanted to imitate it" (27). He had a brother and sister, Soto’s influence as a kid were TV shows since his father was never