Blog Post 3 - How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents

1. Write a 15-line reflection on current gender roles, using the following questions to help formulate the reflection (your answers and opinions):
- what is expected of men and women in America in 2012 that’s specific to gender?
- how are men and women perceived in America in 2012 by the opposite sex?
- what are the difficulties/advantages of being a man or a woman in 2012?
- what are some stereotypes associated with being a man or a woman in 2012?

In pasts cultures and societies women have culturally played a

subservient role along side men. Women were made to stay home and take care of the children while the men were both allowed ad expected to go out and obtain an education in order to provide for the family. In modern day america this idea of men being more valuable than women, or being responsible soley for a families well being is still some what evident, but not exactly "the norm". Now days both men and women have the option of taking on a dominant role in the household and in everyday society, and with the existence of single mothers, and stay at home dads the complete opposite of what was once thought to be unheard of as far as social ideals is now an everyday occurrence. Due to these factors of the changing idea of what he role of a man and the role of a woman is , what the opposite genders perceive of each other is an ever changing idea. Both men and women now essentially look for the same characteristics in a mate, for example a modern day guy or girl would want someone who is financially stable,well educated and well rounded. Perhaps in past societies a man would not look a woman who was highly or equally educated being that their worth would not be found in  scholarly value, but in their ability to run a house hold or to maintain a functional family. Based on the expectations or lack there of that society hold upon men and women i think it  is safe to say that the advantages/disadvantages of being a man or woman in society turn being pretty equal, however as society is ever changing, there is no telling how perceptions and expectations for either gender roles will evolve.

2. Using one of last week’s Scenario Questions, Write a 5 line answer-explanation from the perspective of one of the characters from Garcia Girls. Put simply, if Yolanda or Carlos, etc. were posed this question, based on what you know about them thus far, how would they answer, and why?

In the perception of Carlos:

The role for women is one that is simply and easily understood. women are to follow the traditions of the family that are laid before them ,and perserve the culture and heart of the family.Women are not to take part in strenuous activities or activities that could make her family be perceived in a bad light. Men on the other hand are supposed to honor and protect their family . It is the mans responsiblity to pass down family values to his son so he can continue and pass it on down to his. Men are also supposed to be the provider for the family.