Emotional labor is putting feelings into something in order to achieve a certain goal. There is a difference in the emotional labor that is portrayed through the writings of Helena Maria Viramontes and the writings of Junot Diaz. In the articles, Miss Clairol and How to Date a Brown Girl the idea of emotional labor is explored in both the positive and the negative aspects of it. However, the combination of the two can function together, but one may overshadow the other.
In the article by Viramontes, Arlene experiences struggles that can portray emotional labor. Miss Clairol tried to portray the idea that a single mother still has some joys in life that she wishes to enjoy, but at what cost. There is an instance in the article where the mother says “When you get older I’ll show now you can look as pretty.” This can be seen as patronizing as well as bad parenting, but considering the lack of opportunities that the mother has to bond with her child, this is a chance to do so. This mother is using emotional labor to consider the …show more content…
For instance, Diaz uses racial stereotypes that over generalizes women. This defeats the purpose of a romance if there is a certain number of rules that must be performed in order to be successful. It might be understandable that one must have some sort of support or advice on how to handle a dating situation, but even then, it should not be approached in a way that conveys the message that people should act in a certain way to be accepted. For this same reason is why Viramontes article can be shown in a bad light. Arlene is seen as a terrible mother, who cannot provide for her child. Champ is seen cooking her own meals and fetching her mother’s clothes. This is not a typical mother-daughter relationship, but in a way, this is the only time they have to
In the article by Viramontes, Arlene experiences struggles that can portray emotional labor. Miss Clairol tried to portray the idea that a single mother still has some joys in life that she wishes to enjoy, but at what cost. There is an instance in the article where the mother says “When you get older I’ll show now you can look as pretty.” This can be seen as patronizing as well as bad parenting, but considering the lack of opportunities that the mother has to bond with her child, this is a chance to do so. This mother is using emotional labor to consider the …show more content…
For instance, Diaz uses racial stereotypes that over generalizes women. This defeats the purpose of a romance if there is a certain number of rules that must be performed in order to be successful. It might be understandable that one must have some sort of support or advice on how to handle a dating situation, but even then, it should not be approached in a way that conveys the message that people should act in a certain way to be accepted. For this same reason is why Viramontes article can be shown in a bad light. Arlene is seen as a terrible mother, who cannot provide for her child. Champ is seen cooking her own meals and fetching her mother’s clothes. This is not a typical mother-daughter relationship, but in a way, this is the only time they have to