A young adolescent growing up in a middle-class suburbs in Los Angeles; who holds a base for the second generation. “Our family lived in a suburb of Los Angeles that was generally classified as Mexican middle class. My father was the second generation Mexican American who believed in strong family values and a religious foundation,” (Pg. 71, Luna). Stella, along with her siblings, grew-up in a household with strong values of family needs come first. “My mother was never allowed to work because my father believed her place was in the home taking care of our family,” (Pg. 71, Luna). However her mother never forced her sisters and her to take part in housework. Stella’s mother believed it wasn’t their time yet to understand and learn the basics
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“As I grew into my teens, it became quite apparent that dating was a privilege and not a right. Under the watchful eyes of my father and my three brothers, I was given strict rules to obey. I didn’t mind these rules, but what bothered me was my mother’s constant fear of my getting pregnant,” (Pg. 72, Luna). Growing up with strict rules of machismo, both parents never spoke about sex. Just like my household, it was embarrassing for parents to touch on the subject of sex or dating. Just like Stella, I too had rules for dating. However my father was very open when it came to sex or drug education. On the other hand, my mother was very closed and private. This idea of raising pure girls, marriage, and pregnant after marriage was an achievement. “I found this confusing because my parents never had a sex talk with me and it hurt to think they had such little trust in me. Years later, my mom would brag to her friends how her girls ‘didn’t have to get married because they were pregnant.’ She consider this a personal achievement,” (Pg. 72, …show more content…
Both are excited and set to raise a family of their own. However, little do they both know, Stella and Jay begin a rocky-road. “The doctor said although he was confused with the results, I had tested positive for HIV,” (Pg. 74, Luna). Through a series of blood work, Stella’s results and the child’s results come back positive for HIV. “We walked hand in hand and he began to weep. Alex’s pediatrician had called: our son’s test had come back positive,” (Pg. 74, Luna). With the horrifying news, Stella and Jay become distant and decide to keep the results private.
Later in time, Stella begins to attend support groups for HIV women who were also infected. Stella leaves Jay, due to their differences. Throughout their separation Stella understands her purpose in life and holds a degree in Chicano/a studies and education. Through this crisis, she is able to come out of her community and educate others to be open and accept it; never silent. “I accept HIV in my life as a special task that was bestowed upon me to help the HIV community, which is closest to my heart,” (Pg. 84,
“As I grew into my teens, it became quite apparent that dating was a privilege and not a right. Under the watchful eyes of my father and my three brothers, I was given strict rules to obey. I didn’t mind these rules, but what bothered me was my mother’s constant fear of my getting pregnant,” (Pg. 72, Luna). Growing up with strict rules of machismo, both parents never spoke about sex. Just like my household, it was embarrassing for parents to touch on the subject of sex or dating. Just like Stella, I too had rules for dating. However my father was very open when it came to sex or drug education. On the other hand, my mother was very closed and private. This idea of raising pure girls, marriage, and pregnant after marriage was an achievement. “I found this confusing because my parents never had a sex talk with me and it hurt to think they had such little trust in me. Years later, my mom would brag to her friends how her girls ‘didn’t have to get married because they were pregnant.’ She consider this a personal achievement,” (Pg. 72, …show more content…
Both are excited and set to raise a family of their own. However, little do they both know, Stella and Jay begin a rocky-road. “The doctor said although he was confused with the results, I had tested positive for HIV,” (Pg. 74, Luna). Through a series of blood work, Stella’s results and the child’s results come back positive for HIV. “We walked hand in hand and he began to weep. Alex’s pediatrician had called: our son’s test had come back positive,” (Pg. 74, Luna). With the horrifying news, Stella and Jay become distant and decide to keep the results private.
Later in time, Stella begins to attend support groups for HIV women who were also infected. Stella leaves Jay, due to their differences. Throughout their separation Stella understands her purpose in life and holds a degree in Chicano/a studies and education. Through this crisis, she is able to come out of her community and educate others to be open and accept it; never silent. “I accept HIV in my life as a special task that was bestowed upon me to help the HIV community, which is closest to my heart,” (Pg. 84,