The Sleepover Question By Jamaica Kincaid

Families are often broken when the communication among the parties falls through. In “The Sleepover Question” by Amy Schalet and “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid, we can compare and contrast the attitude from the parents towards the young girls on sexual behavior and over all sexual relations. Although Schalet and Kincaid initially seem to disagree that it is vital for the teens to be open and trust their parents about their issues and sexual experiences, Kincaid expresses her idea and implies to her daughter that young ladies should not act like “sluts” and learn how to do domestic labor instead. Even though, both of these authors support the idea of communication among parents and their children, they have specific discussions about certain topics,

The speaker repeats herself and states, many times, that all females should always have to behave and act like classy women and not “sluts”; here is an example, “this is how to behave in the presence of men who don’t know you very well, and this way they wont recognize immediately the slut I have warned you against becoming; be sure to watch every day, even if it with your own spit; don’t squat to play marbles – you are not a boy”(Kincaid 33). Kincaid points out specific actions that determine how a lady should act and must undergo to be “classy” in her own perfect world. Kincaid’s narrator puts female teens through a different perspective and environment where they should even be thinking of boys or men, instead, they should be learning how to sew or cook, iron and clean the house. In our generation, society plays a big role where females are subjected and labeled as “house slaves”. They are viewed as workers that must maintain the house impeccable, always have the food ready for the husband and take care of the children.
The time period from “Girl” portrays how women were treated and forced to act when they were raised as oppose of young boys. Through out the story we understand that young ladies were forced to learn how do domestic duties from a very young age. An example of this is” this is how you sew on a button…this

Author Amy Schalet ultimately brings up a delicate and sensitive topic about teens having sex, comparing the different mindsets of families in the Netherlands and in America. By Schalet carrying the interviews, she found out that teens in America are a lot more secretive with their personal lives, and would not discuss it with their parents, unlike teens from the Netherlands that eventually told their parents. While some people might say that it’s a matter of common sense, some other people might argue it has to do with culture. Catholics, for example, believe in celibacy until you have decided on the person you will marry. You are taught from young age to protect your body and mind from carnal desires and focus on other things that will benefit you on the long run. Obviously, times have changed, and not many people practice this anymore. We can see an example on shows on television about teen pregnancy, while these shows aren’t necessarily telling to go ahead and have children at young age, it might have negative impact on younger girls, almost like a unintentional role model. On the other hand, writer Jamaica Kincaid, demonstrates the In The Girl we see the other side of the coin, a mother that is so demanding and is always right, no matter the outcome, she is right, and things have to be done a certain way. I think a figure like this would not benefit