Hijas Americanas: Beauty, Body Image, and Growing Up Latina

by Rosie Molinary

Book Overview

In Hijas Americanas, author Rosie Molinary sheds new light on what it means to grow up Latina. Drawing upon her own experiences, as well as interviews and surveys collected from more than 500 Latina women, Molinary provides a powerful understanding of the inner conflicts and powerful triumphs of Latinas. The women profiled in this book are Caribbean, Mexican, Central American, and South American. These first, second and third-generation Latinas have all grappled with the experience of coming of age within not one but two cultures: that of the United States, and that of their familial homelands. Hijas Americanas addresses experiences that are uniquely female and Latin, focusing on themes of body image, standards of beauty, ethnic identity, and sexuality. In doing so, Molinary gives voice to the struggles and successes of Latinas across racial, sexual, and cultural identities, emphasizing that the challenges inherent in growing up between two cultures can positively shape Latinas' lives.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580051898
• ISBN13: 9781580051897
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Seal Press (CA)
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A Latina's Essential

This book is like no other out there. I found it easy to relate to and shockingly similar to my experiences growing up as a Latina in America. This book is inspiring, encouraging, and uplifting. After thinking I was the only one who struggled trying to balance my Latinidad and American culture, this book shows that there are other Latinas out there that I can completely relate to. I honestly cannot say enough fantastic things about how this book has touched me, and how great a person Rosie is. Your path to self discovery starts here.

An engaging read

Rosie Molinary beautifully weaves her own life experiences with voices of hundreds of other women in this very literary piece of nonfiction. The stories explore the duality of growing up Latina in the U.S. and the many ways individual women, in the context of various family systems, navigated their own paths. Her book is funny, thought-provoking, and at times heart-wrenching, and is written with passion, empathy, and grace that will speak to all women.

Must Read!!

I loved this book it really explains in great detail what we as Latinas go through in attempting to find who we are and helps us come to love our Latinidad. This book is amazing and inspiring. I highly recommend it to everyone, a MUST READ!!

Eye-opening

I've attended countless diversity trainings and Masters-level classes on cultural issues. I've even completed a week-long seminar that certified me to interpret scores on the Intercultural Development Inventory and administer cultural sensitivity trainings. Molinary has, in 300 pages, taught me more than any of these experiences. By allowing these women to tell their stories to a faceless audience, she has given non-Latinas, like me, a unique opportunity to delve into their lives and gain as deep an understanding of their experiences as possible. It's also a great read! Educational AND entertaining?? That's what I said.

Incredible Book!

This is one of those books that you won't soon forget! Molinary gives moving, funny, and thoughtful anecdotes of her life blended with stories and experiences of other latinas in the US. I wish it had been available when I was a young girl, but I can still take away so much from it as a 33 year-old woman. I could not put it down and read it in two days! Thanks to the author for putting so much time and research into crafting a book that could help millions of woman see themselves for the beautiful "hijas" they are. This is a timely, empowering read!