Book Review: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

Abstract

From a cultural standpoint, there are many roles that one is expected to portray based on their norms and social groups. Minorities and people of color often have difficulty when integrating into American society, facing cultural barriers and the struggle to find their own identity outside of cultural and societal norms. These struggles are often a heavier burden for second-generation immigrants (children born to two immigrant parents) due to the lack of mentorship from their parents on how social interactions work in a new culture. Often, children of immigrants must learn to rely on themselves to help their parents navigate a new country as well, becoming translators to their parents as a way to minimize language, cultural, and societal barriers. Due to the challenges of learning a new culture and trying to comprehend one’s personal identity, second-generation immigrants often find themselves having a cultural identity crisis.