Jahan Amrin

Professor Aisha Sidibe

FIQWS 10103

December 18, 2018

CREATIVE WRITING

One of the most interesting topics we have discussed in class is discrimination in gender in Latin America. Leslie Salzinger and Judith Ortiz Cofer’s readings both emphasizes the levels of expectations women are held to in Latin America. Women are required to act a certain way in Latin America opposed to women in the United States, according to their traditional beliefs. In Mexico and the United States, women are required to dress and behave in a particular way when it comes to employment, or the presence in an active working environment. However, the customs are different between both countries, regarding the fact that each country has their own views and own set of stereotypes towards one another.

In Mexico, women are “docile” to any position that is offered to them in maquila shops because companies are hesitant to hire them for the “transnational image” that is labeled on women workers in factories. Women expectations in work field are exceedingly focused on her appearance. Leslie Salzinger, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Chicago, mentions in her article, “Making Fantasies Real: Producing Women and Men on the Maquila Shop Floor”, that “one’s appearance reveals a lot” about women and that women workers in the maquila shops are often perceived by their image and how well they can present themselves. For example a young pretty women in the industry can bypass an unexcused lateness by “convincing the plant manager to intercede for her” thus she will not be discouraged from her ability to work. Comparing that to a woman who “used no makeup and only wore dresses below the knee” are often criticised for her appearance by her coworkers that “she should fix herself up” (Salzinger). Which can be extremely offending and unfair to a women’s position in the working fields.

However, women in Mexico aren’t the only ones who face criticism and standard expectations. In “The Myth of the Latin Woman: Just Met a Girl Named Maria,” Judith Ortiz Cofer explains that women from Latin American countries who reside in the U.S can frequently confront difficulties to assimilate into American culture. The intersection of two cultural principles can confuse one’s reasoning to present themselves the “right” way. Cofer emphasizes in her article that as a Puerto Rican woman she often faced stereotypical comments regarding how she presents herself at semi-formal occasions in the United States. Hispanic woman are often portrayed as a sexual symbol, because of the way they dress, that their “tight skirts and jingling bracelets” are an invitation to men. However, back in their country they are protected by their traditional beliefs of families and the protection of their honor, where a male cannot “wrong” a female because of there “Catholic system of morality and machismo whose main rule was: you may look at my sister, but if you touch her I will kill you.”(Cofer) The fact that a Hispanic woman can’t dress based on her cultural influence in the U.S, mostly because her image will be mistakenly addressed can be confusing. The idea that America is a “free country” may give the impression that there are no judgements based on your attire.

Women should not be expected to behave or look a certain way, to be judged by others. It is unfair that men do not confront such situations nor they are required to enhance their looks or beauty for a better treatment in the industry. There are other countries where appearance matters a lot, especially in South Korea where they feel compelled to get plastic surgery to improve their looks, so they can get a job. Knowledge and education should outweigh societal expectations rather than looks because you need knowledge to complete and perform your job correctly not your appearance. It is indeed interesting to learn the specific type of gender discrimination women face in Latin America, compared to that of other countries. The specific idea of women belonging to the kitchen is not only seen as a belief in Latin American country but also many other countries around the world.