In “birthday” by Viramontes, the story describes a character named Alice, who is pregnant. This is not uncommon for young women in the Latin community. This is definitely something that is a coming of age moment. This is a wake up call for Alice. Alice grows and changes in the way she views on Love. “Love was satisfaction, happiness, and all that other bullshit, not babies.” (Viramontes 47)
If that is not serious enough, now she must make the decision to go through with an abortion. This is a very serious and life changing decision to have to make. Instead of discussing this with her parents, she is getting advice from her “mature” 21 year old friend. This is the case for many young latinas. It depends on how things are at home because many young women would rather consult friends instead of their parents. Especially when it comes to being pregnant.

Ana’s mom in “Real Women have Curves,” stresses the importance of being a virgin and was furious just when she thought Ana was pregnant.

“Snapshots”, another story by Viramontes, is about a woman who is obsessed with reminiscing on the past. Everyday she wants to do the same routine she has been doing for 30 years. This involves getting the food and clothes prepared for her husband and daughter. Throughout the story she lets you know what has happened to her after this thirty year routine. Now, she is divorced and her daughter visits her everyday. Her daughter Maggie brings her new balls of yarn to knit but she just stares at her. Her daughter makes dinner for her but she just stares at her. In her reminiscing she recalls working part time as well as being a wife and mother.

Many latina wives and mothers do not have it easy. The demands on many mothers are great, and they must physically labor as well. This is very similar to the movie “Real Women Have Curves.” Ana’s mom had to work at a sewing shop. In Moraga’s autobiography, “Loving In The War Years” she mentions how she had to serve her brothers even though she had many other responsibilities under her belt. The Mom, in snapshots, later mentions that she was eventually divorced. She did not take it well.

It is important to note that in these coming of age moments ,such as getting married and\or getting divorced, one has the opportunity to grow or and become more or become less. There is always change, but one may not make a positive change. This story made it clear that she did not make a positive change. She was depressed and was always looking at photos from her past. She would ignore her daughter Maggie and not eat the food she made for her.

In the story “growing” by Viramontes, a girl must be chaperoned by her younger sister by orders of her father. Her father said it is because “tu eres mujer” (Viramontes 36) or because you are a woman. Many young latinas are very protected and have little freedom. This is similar to the other stories we have read like “House on Mangos St.” Wives could be locked up in the house by over protective husbands. The girl in “growing”encounters some old friends playing baseball but says she is to big now to play because she is in high school. We find out in this story that she left her sister on a ferris wheel to go make out with a boy amongst other high school kids. Her younger sister tells her father and she gets punished for leaving her. Around this age many young latina women discover their sexuality and explore it. Moraga began to discover her Lesbianism. Ana from Real Women Have Curves had sex for the first time shortly after high school. Sexuality plays a huge role for young latinas coming of age.

Photo from NCSL website: http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/public-health-herald-5th-issue.aspx