(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

When I Was Puerto Rican

Negi felt comfortable enough to discuss with her mother a boy walking her home from school. Parents need to be emotionally available to their children.
             The sociological impact on Negi while growing up is directly related to her psychological assessment of life. Many of her experiences become internalized which contribute to her psychological development and the outcome can be positive or negative based on how she integrates these experiences into her self. Her mother was a positive role model who offered emotional support and instilled morals and values in all her children. She knew how to set boundaries and limits and also when to let Negi be independent. Mami had a kind of authoritative parenting style which Roth & Brooks-Gunn (2000) described as "democratic, firm, and loving, was the most beneficial for children and adolescents" (p.112). Mami raised her children in a strict environment where the children knew not to talk back and what was considered punishable. Yet she also gave Negi the freedom to go to school and become her own person and sent her to stay at relatives often which allowed her to be independent away from the family, and allowed her room to grow. .
             It was hard for Negi to be independent when she had so many brothers and sisters and such tight quarters. Psychologically becoming the caretaker of her siblings when her mom went to work took a toll on Negi. She became resentful toward her mother for giving her such responsibility when all Negi really wanted was to be a kid. This role limited Negi's free time to be able to go outside and explore herself and her surroundings. It may have fostered some hatred toward her mother and also her siblings for needing her care and attention. Relying on different family members to play different roles is part of Negi's culture although she hated it she had no choice but to play the big sister role. In Harrison (1990), Ogbu explains in reference to ethnic minority children, "that childrearing in the family and similar micro settings during the periods of infancy, childhood, and adolescence is geared toward the development of instrumental competence.


Essays Related to When I Was Puerto Rican

1. Life of a Puerto Rican

I interviewed these students, some of which are native born Puerto Ricans and some which are second or third generation Puerto Ricans. ... I will first provide the perspective of an American born Puerto Rican then compare (or contrast) their thoughts with the native born students. ... When I asked Ms. ... I also asked similar questions to my very close friend who is a third generation Puerto Rican as well. She answered similarly when I asked how she identified herself. ...

  • Word Count: 1258
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Puerto rican society

This article pointed out facts on Puerto Rico as a commonwealth, the Puerto Rican people in the United States and the different things that make Puerto Ricans similar to other ethnic groups. ... In 1952, when the commonwealth status was determined Puerto Rico gained more rights. ... When Puerto Ricans migrated, they moved into the northeastern states which included New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Illinois. ... In the 1960's and the 1970's when unemployment levels were increasing many Puerto Ricans went back to Puerto Rico. ... So from this reading, I can see that this article ...

  • Word Count: 713
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Spanish

I am who I am today due to the fact that I have good parents and friends. ... I take great pride in being Puerto Rican but I also always feel as though I have to defend my fellow Hispanics due to the fact that not a lot of people respect the Hispanic race as a whole. I continually explain that Hispanics, Puerto Ricans, come in all colors and that I am not an African American just because I have dark skin. I always protect my race and voice my opinion when I hear something about Hispanics that is not necessarily true and also when we are stereotyped. . ... I will forever be grateful to all th...

  • Word Count: 377
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Case Study - When I Was Puerto Rican

Esmeralda Santiago's autobiographically based novel When I Was Puerto Rican follows the story of Esmeralda from age four to adolescence and her journey from Puerto Rico New York. ... She also learns the cultural beliefs of her various Puerto Rican environments, learning how to send a dead baby to heaven according to her mother's beliefs and the Catholic Church as introduced by her paternal grandmother. ... I can use the help (9). ... Esmeralda shows some signs of the latency stage when she enters to school to find a "world suddenly bigger, a vast place of other adults and children ...

  • Word Count: 1553
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

5. The United States and Puerto Rico

When the United States first took Puerto Rico from Spain, its plans concerning what to do with the island appeared to be noble. ... When the war is over we must keep what we want. ... While it benefited when Puerto Ricans bought American goods, it also controlled much of the actual production on the island. ... Another area of Puerto Rican development affected by the United States? ... According to Guerra, the Speaker of the House said, "Now, I have not anything but the kindliest feelings for the Puerto Ricans," but continued to say, "Why, I undertake to say that if one of our people would go...

  • Word Count: 2140
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Has Bibliography

6. Racism Today

Two males of black descend stole a truck when they were on their way home. ... Many people make stereotype comment about Puerto Rican's being loud and obnoxious just like they do for Mexicans.      I have a part time job at Burger King just like many others my age. People often make comments and judge because I am an eighteen year old Puerto Rican working in fast food. What most people don't know, is my life outside of my job and the fact that I'm not the common Puerto Rican girl. ...

  • Word Count: 551
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Racism and Ethnicity

For example, a person's ethnicity can be defined as Irish, German, Italian, Jewish, Puerto Rican, etc. ... My mother is a white Puerto Rican and my father is a black Puerto Rican. ... An example of being prejudice is when you don't like a person just because they have a different skin color or accent than you. When a person acts on his prejudice, then it becomes discrimination. ... When people stereotype, it means that they are judging someone based on their race, how they dress, act, talk, and so on. ...

  • Word Count: 925
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. My Mother: Wonder Woman

And her magnificent skills of traditional Puerto Rican style cooking will always be remember by friends and family. ... But when we got out of line and misbehaved. ... That look she gave us when we misbehave was sufficient. ... She knew several ways of making Puerto Rican Style dishes. ... My personal favorite is a traditional Puerto Rican dish called arroz con gandules y pernil (rice with green pigeon peas and roast pork shoulder). ...

  • Word Count: 612
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Salsa History

Puerto Rico and the Puerto Ricans are given credit for salsa becoming so popular. ... During this time 50,000 Puerto Ricans migrated to America. ... In this time span an additional 800,000 Puerto Ricans migrated to America. After moving to America many Puerto Ricans were forced to live in the ghettos. ... I think the best dance move was when he was on his knees dancing and she spun around him. ...

  • Word Count: 763
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question