“Only Daughter” by Sandra Cisneros

The reading “Only Daughter” by Sandra Cisneros talks about growing up as the only daughter in a Mexican household with six brothers and having her family’s approval, especially from her father. Still, also. Sandra’s father also believed in having her marry and have a family. “Only Daughter “Was ones of the reading that I have a big connection especially myself being a Mexican American with Mexican parents even though I’m not the only daughter in my family but there are many things I relate to Sandra’s reading on. While reading Sandra Cisneros’s story, I felt we lived in the family. What stood out to me was when Sandra pointed out an important thing about “winning your parent’s approval” and “proving yourself.” There were many moments of connection to her story, just like if we lived in the same household. The reason why I believe I felt a connection to her story is that I think the author wants us to feel that we aren’t alone or the only ones with the same issue and that I wasn’t the only Mexican American or Latina family that you to prove to your parents that you are a better or brilliant student or daughter. While reading this part of the story, getting your parent’s approval on your own decision made me remember that I used to feel that I wasn’t enough to keep my parents’ pound. But the most common thing in a Latin family is seeing their daughter getting married to a great husband. My experiences connect to the story because I remember that while I was growing up, I felt that I wasn’t enough or wasn’t the daughter they wanted since they expected more from me. Sandra says, “Winning your parent’s approval.” Dad wanted my sister and me to be better in everything, and still to this day. My dad always pushes us to get 100 on homework, tests, and quizzes. If I got home with a 75 or at least an 80, my dad would always say, “Good, but you can do better.” My dad’s mind was always having us in a better school to be a better person with a great career because it is the reason why he came to the United States: to make sure we had better live conditions and better opportunities in school. I also remember both of my parents would always have a talk with my sister and me about marriage and how we should get married to a “nice, charming husband” and to make sure that our husband treats us nicely. Also, saying that as women, we should learn how to cook and clean to marry is the most common saying in the family. This is a universal to share our own experience because many of us live in an identical issue as a Latino community, even if not family. Still, we all have knowledge and experience with that same issue. The problem of keeping your parent’s approval or the idea of getting a husband is passed on through generations. It is something that many Americans with Latino families want to change since this has caused some of us to be overwhelmed with the idea of keeping our parents proud without having to realize we are doing this for our parents and not for ourselves.