Sexuality in adolescence Sexuality is the most notorious and common sign of development in adolescence.“The House on Mango street”, by Sandra Cisneros is a coming of age novel where Esperanza transitions from a girl into a young teen. In her journey, Esperanza comes across many challenges, she is forced to grow up by life’s adversities. In the short story “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid, a mother advises her daughter and scolds her into becoming a good woman. In her guidance, the mother is worried about her daughter’s sexual activity and warns her about consequences of bad behavior. “A&P” by John Updike, is also a short story where a boy named Sammy comes across his sexuality when he spots three girls wearing bikinis enter the store. “The House
…show more content…
In the chapter “Sally”, Esperanza learns about sexual behavior from Sally. Sally represents a figure of sexual maturity that intrigues Esperanza. Esperanza pays attention to some details about Sally’s physical appearance noticing how Sally dresses more provocative than other girls. “The boys at school think she's beautiful because her hair is shiny black like raven feathers and when she laughs, she flicks her hair back like a satin shawl over her shoulders and laughs” (Cisnerons, 101). Esperanza sees Sally as a beautiful doll, one she strives to be like. Physical appearance is important for adolescents to recognize their sexuality. In the chapter “Red Clowns”, Esperanza experiences her first sexual encounter, although it was not what she thought it would be. She finds herself being sexualy assaulted. Forcibly introduced into the adult world, Esperanza learn that fantasies are not always what they are said to be. Esperanza states, “They all lied. All the books and magazine, everything it wrong” (Cisneros, 123). She realizes, bitterly, that sex and love do not always mix, and that boys are not always …show more content…
Sammy is a nineteen-year-old cashier at a small store. Not use to seeing girls enter the store dressed the way, Sammy is shocked. Sammy can’t seem to keep his eyes off the girls. He observes them and begins to notice details about their dressing. Sammy states, “She had on a kind of a dirty-pink bathing suit with a little nubble all over it and, what got me, the straps were down”(Updike, par. 3). We can see Sammy is sexually desiring these girls. Sammy also states, “there was nothing between the top of the suit and the top of her head, except just her, this clean bare plane of the top of her chest down the shoulder bones like a dented sheet of metal tilted in light. I mean, it was more than pretty” (Updike, par 3 ). It is obvious Sammy feels some kind of sexual attraction to these girls. At first, Sammy seems to come off as a sexist teen. Later, his boss Lengel confronts the girls and calls them out for their attire. Lengel states, “We want you decently dresses when you come in here”. Which the girls respond, “We are decent”. Blushing, the girls seem to feel uncomfortable. Not liking how Lengel speaks to the girl, Sammy decides to take a dramatic step and quits his job. He tries to impress the girls with his brave sacrifice, but the girls had already
In the chapter “Sally”, Esperanza learns about sexual behavior from Sally. Sally represents a figure of sexual maturity that intrigues Esperanza. Esperanza pays attention to some details about Sally’s physical appearance noticing how Sally dresses more provocative than other girls. “The boys at school think she's beautiful because her hair is shiny black like raven feathers and when she laughs, she flicks her hair back like a satin shawl over her shoulders and laughs” (Cisnerons, 101). Esperanza sees Sally as a beautiful doll, one she strives to be like. Physical appearance is important for adolescents to recognize their sexuality. In the chapter “Red Clowns”, Esperanza experiences her first sexual encounter, although it was not what she thought it would be. She finds herself being sexualy assaulted. Forcibly introduced into the adult world, Esperanza learn that fantasies are not always what they are said to be. Esperanza states, “They all lied. All the books and magazine, everything it wrong” (Cisneros, 123). She realizes, bitterly, that sex and love do not always mix, and that boys are not always …show more content…
Sammy is a nineteen-year-old cashier at a small store. Not use to seeing girls enter the store dressed the way, Sammy is shocked. Sammy can’t seem to keep his eyes off the girls. He observes them and begins to notice details about their dressing. Sammy states, “She had on a kind of a dirty-pink bathing suit with a little nubble all over it and, what got me, the straps were down”(Updike, par. 3). We can see Sammy is sexually desiring these girls. Sammy also states, “there was nothing between the top of the suit and the top of her head, except just her, this clean bare plane of the top of her chest down the shoulder bones like a dented sheet of metal tilted in light. I mean, it was more than pretty” (Updike, par 3 ). It is obvious Sammy feels some kind of sexual attraction to these girls. At first, Sammy seems to come off as a sexist teen. Later, his boss Lengel confronts the girls and calls them out for their attire. Lengel states, “We want you decently dresses when you come in here”. Which the girls respond, “We are decent”. Blushing, the girls seem to feel uncomfortable. Not liking how Lengel speaks to the girl, Sammy decides to take a dramatic step and quits his job. He tries to impress the girls with his brave sacrifice, but the girls had already