Norms: Individual vs. Society- Ritual

Family Ritual

Being an individual who is from Hispanic decent it is a custom to celebrate our rite of passage by having a Quinceanera. Traditionally a quinceanera is when the fifteen year old girl is presented to the community as a young lady. It is also when the girl goes to mass to give her thanks to god for the life she has and then there may be a small celebration with her loved ones after. This day serves as the beginning of the young lady’s rest of her life with the ability to wear makeup, date, and go out on her own.

These days’ quinceaneras have become more sophisticated and expensive. They have added the seven chambelanes and seven lamas to represent the girls past fourteen years of life. They added the last doll dressed in an elaborate gown that is a replica of the quinceanera’s. Then there is the switch from flat shoes to high heels. The quinceanera is also to wear a tiara and is given an elegant jewelry set. All of this can be seen at the over the top parties that are now thrown which are usually at a hall that is extensively decorated.

Because I am 100% Mexican most people would think I had a quinceanera. Well the truth is I didn’t follow through with this custom. It is not because I wasn’t given the opportunity but because I never saw it as an importance. I for one don’t like having parties where all the attention would be around you. Secondly I am not a very religious person where I would go to mass. Instead my twin sister and I had gone to vacation in Cancun. We thought the money was used more wisely this way because we got to learn more about one of the most tropical places. We learned the history behind the natives who lived in Cancun and more. The way I see it, party or not at the age fifteen I was still considered a young adult so why not use the money towards something I find more rewarding.

"Bikinis & Tiaras"- Girls on the Verge by: Vendela Vida

This personal narrative is an insight to those who aren’t Hispanic about the tradition of a quince. It describes how the tradition of a quince has changed so much over the year in America. Quinces these days are more about the party and having all eyes on the young lady as she entertains her guests. Originally a quince served as a way to thank god for the girl’s life so far and to show how they are now young women. It also signifies how the young lady now has the ability to wear makeup, date and go out on her own. Some girls no longer include mass in this ceremony; some only have a party, while others choose to only take pictures. For most of the Hispanic girls who choose to have this celebration say they have it for the party rather than the tradition. The parents see it as w=a way to keep the tradition alive and to show those back in there homeland how they have made it in America.

Norms: Individual vs. Society- Versus

Most Teens and I

I have been told many times by multiple people that I am a very responsible young lady for my age I never really had much thought about it. It wasn’t until the summer before my senior year that I took all these comments into thought. You see I had given up my last summer as a minor, to babysit my uncle’s children all the way in San Mateo. So I was five hours away from family, and friends for my entire summer. It was there that my uncle and his wife had asked me the one question I never had considered, “Why are you so different from most teens, how are you so responsible?”

Immediately I couldn’t help but compare myself to the one other teenager I ever knew, my cousin. I remember growing up with my cousin when she was a teen. I remember the countless times she went joy riding with my grandfather’s car. I remember the times she would sneak out the house to meet up with her boyfriend. She was my role model and I would be lying if I told you I didn’t ever follow her ways. I remember sneaking out one night with her because she told me it would be fun. This was the night that would change the rest of my entire life. I may have never done anything worth regretting but the fact that I was willing to climb out a window scared me. How could one person influence my life in such a way?

It was from this day forward that I had learned not to take life for granted that you need to fight hard for what you believe in and never let anyone influence your life. I guess I am different from other teens because I have learned from the mistakes my cousin has made. I learned not to be foolish and I learned that the strongest I ever was is when I was true to myself. I may not go out partying with the cool crowd, I have never done drugs and I don’t drink, not even wine.

Instead I have found it fulfilling being the best person I can be. I help others, I participate in a number of charities, I never mind being a helpful hand for teachers and I take my chances at new opportunities. For instance most teens wouldn’t be willing to babysit a whole summer without family, friends, internet access, and without contact to the rest of civilization. But I did, I figured it would be a chance for me to understand how my life would be when I left home. I learned how it would be to have a family to whom I would have to look after.

But then again I guess one of the major reasons I live my life this way is because I have my own morals. In which most I have been taught by family, but unlike others I take my morals seriously. If I ever were to break them, I would live in dread till I found a way to redeem myself. Teens aren’t always reckless; they can be young responsible adults to. I guess that’s what separates me the “individual” from most teens the “society”. I think over all my actions before taking them, always hoping for the best.

Persepolis By Marjane Satrapi

Through this personal narrative Marjane Satrapi describes the history of Iran, her country. She describes how she wants to become a prophet for her people. Marjane is teased and ostracized by her schoolmates for wanting to become a prophet. While Satrpi describes how she wants to fight for her freedom of her country with a revolution. In the end Majane's want for revenge causes her the loss of her god.

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

This personal narrative is about an Asian-American boy named Jin who has a crush on an American girl named Amelia Harris. She is the girl that sits in front of him in his biology class. Jin is confused and doesn't know how to get Amelia's attention. Jin tells his friend Wei-chen about his crush who reminds him of the limitations boys had with girls where they come from. After Jin fails on making a move to get to know Amelia better he gains the guts to ask her out. Leaving him feeling accomplished

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