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My Son, My Compass By Caroline Hwang

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Writing Assignment 1
Family conflict affects everyone in the family however it’s more harmful to the children. Every family has a different approach in how they deal with the conflict. As a class we have read and discussed Caroline Hwang’s essay “The Good Daughter.” as well as Janna Malamud Smith’s essay “My Son, My Compass.” There is different approach illustrated by Hwang's and Smith's essay as they choose their own lifestyle and confront their parent’s arrogant behavior. Hwang essay explains how immigrant children are living a paradox, forcing her to keep her Korean culture and adapting to the American culture as well. Hwang also describes that her parents chooses her future lifestyle. Hwang decided that living up to her parents …show more content…

In other words Hwang’s parents caused her to have a lack of desire because of their pressure of expectations. Not giving your children the choice to choose their future can impact them. Hwang’s expectations had affected her own goals and ambition. The story illustrated that parents have a strong influence on their children whether it’s good or bad. Feeling indebted to your parents can be a problem either causing the child to go astray or become rebellious. Hwang also stated, “My parents expect me to marry someone Korean and give them grandchildren who look like them.” Forcing her to build a wall between the men she dated. Hwang compelled herself to not become emotional attached to anyone other than the Korean.
My son my Compass describes a change in a family that was initiated by the younger family member. Smith son convinced her and her husband to stop eating red meat. Beforehand the family was hesitant about the diet but as the story continued there was a development of acceptance. The decision had to be difficult for the parents to stick to. The parents sacrificed their happiness for their child. Only because they loved their son they were willing to listen, understand, and accept his views. The way Smith essay describes the situation may not always be handled as easy and simple compared to other families. It depends on the family.
People in similar situations may definitely react differently according to responses. I

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