The impact of peer pressure on one s self pride

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It is difficult to rationalize irrational acts—after all, they are really irrational. As a result, perhaps given that bizarre to most people that the narrator in “Senior Photo Day” seems the need to on a regular basis squeeze her nose, simply to change its appearance. Naturally , teenagers have always been known to do unusual issues by nature. Nevertheless , irrational functions can also be attributed to external elements, not just towards the inexperience that accompanies youthfulness. In the case of the narrator, her daily nose-squeezing is spurred by hurtful comments of her best friend Terri. The main reason that the narrator feels the requirement to squeeze her nose is always to fit some standard of beauty which construe Indian-like facial features as desirable, one that Terri would agree with.

The standard of magnificence in the narrator’s case is made based on her location. She lives in A bunch of states, and consequently identifies like a Californian. In fact , she displays this id in her desired CB-FUNK handle, while she explains to Terri: “When we were in her place, I told her I had determined Cali Young lady as my personal handle” (31). Terri quickly questions this kind of choice, reminding the narrator of her heritage and describing her own idea of Californian splendor standards: “But you’re Mexican… you look like you’re more from Mexico than California… I mean, California is like, blond girls, you already know… It’s just that you don’t seem like you’re from California” (31). It becomes generously clear via her statements that Terri has an ideal appearance in her brain when she thinks of your girl coming from California: someone who is ‘blond’ and just isn’t visibly of Mexican traditions. Terri ultimately specifies the particular the narrator look like an ‘Indian’ if the boy for the CB a radio station (‘Lightning Bolt’) inquires about the narrator’s appearance, eventually triggering her irrational nose-squeezing. According to Terri, the narrator is usually “… really skinny and, uh… She’s also qualit? flat-chested… she also has this, this nasal area, a nose like… such as an Indian… you understand.. Like powwow Indian” (32). To some, it might not be right away apparent so why these features are considered unattractive, because attractiveness is something that is entirely subjective and largely differs depending on notion. In this case, however , Lightning Bolt’s response is definitely one that concurs with the unattractiveness of these traits according to the thought of Californian beauty standards: “Lightning Bolt laughed on the other end. ‘Like Woo-Woo-Woo Indian? ‘ He clapped his hand over his mouth and wailed. A sound That i knew all too well” (32). The truth that the narrator considers Lightning Bolt’s laughter and ‘wailing’ in response to her appearance to become a familiar appear implies that she gets witnessed this sort of a reaction before. In this instance, however , it is the disregarding point and ultimately pushes her to do something about how she is viewed.

In a way, the narrator still values Terri’s approval of her appearance, even though the lady cuts ties with Terri after her rude remarks. She describes how, years later, Terri’s comments continue to affect her: “And thus that’s how a squeezing commenced… I eventually stopped getting together with Terri… I know it’s been nearly four years since the lady said all that stuff about me, regarding my nostril, but gentleman, it even now stings” (32). Through the act of habitually squeezing her nose, she’s essentially credit reporting Terri’s responses about seeking Indian. About several situations, the narrator describes the significance she sets into having a narrower nose area, one that doesn’t look American indian: “Every early morning with my own thumb and forefinger My spouse and i squeeze the sides than it… you might think really just a total waste of time, nevertheless… I do begin to see the difference… My spouse and i look much less Indian, and you may bet that’s the main goal here” (30). The very fact that she considers creating a slimmer, fewer Indian nasal area suggests that Terri’s remarks still carry significant weight, a long time later. Therefore, the narrator successfully detects a way to fit an established magnificence standard, even though in an irrational and uncommon manner.

Though the lady considers their self to be a ‘California girl’, the narrator can be denied this status on such basis as her resemblance to an American indian and her Mexican historical past. Terri specifically targets her nose and hurts the narrator’s feeling after describing it to Lightning Sl?, who also responds in a hurtful way. Despite cutting off her companionship with Terri, the narrator essentially nonetheless holds Terris opinion in high respect through the act of squeezing her nostril daily. Finally, it is very clear that the narrator responds irrationally to adverse comments regarding her physical appearance, motivated by simply her solid desire to easily fit in.