Response to #1

During the 1930’s, the city of Shanghai was viewed as the “Paris of Asia”, mostly because the city had diverted from the standard traditions of the older generation. May and Pearl find themselves in the perfect scenario where they can switch from the older cultural traditions and discover new traditions and implement them, resulting into a new and rebellious generation. The reason for why Pearl and May’s parents allow them to ignore many of the cultural expectations is because of the new environment Pearl and May are placed in. Young women of high socio-economic stature, such as Pearl and May, are able to go out late at night and work as models for advertisement. While in the older eras, young women, such as themselves, were to be married and take roles of housewives and caretakers. However, the older traditions are bestowed upon Pearl and May after their father losses all their earnings and livelihood in a gambling deal.

Although Pearl and May see the newer generation of traditions enter Shanghai, it becomes short lived and they return to the traditions of their parent, arranged marriages. In the end, traditions that have been established for many years, such as marriage and child bearing, remains as a hidden curtain only presenting itself to remind newer generations that it exists.

Not only does Shanghai become breeding grounds for Pearl and May’s carefree living, but it becomes a setting for acceptance of the behaviors that they exhibit. As the first-born male Hispanic of a family of four, many cultural expectations are placed. I am expected to work at a younger age to help facilitate the financial burdens of my family, instead of acquiring a higher education. However, I’ve found myself to enjoy the pleasures of education and how it may help advance my professional and personal life. Not only can it help me financially, but it may also be an outlet to the troubles of my life. Even in 2015, gender roles play vital parts that dictate how men and women should behave and interact with one another. For example, I had a daughter outside of wedlock, not only is this seen as wrong in the eyes of my grandparents and parents, but they demonstrate an outer shell of acceptance. Currently, my girlfriend and I do not live together, and because of this, my mother scolds at me being saying, “ You are not providing a home for neither your daughter or your significant other”. Not only is difficult to build a home at age of 21 financially, but it becomes an emotional burden. Although there are times where I feel like throwing the towel, the smile of my daughter motivates me to work hard so I may provide for her and her mother. I am a 21 year old chemistry major who wants to become the best example for my daughter that social and cultural expectations do not play significant roles that they might impose anyone’s livelihood, and I hope that I might live up to that example.