Throughout “Gains and Losses,” Richard Rodriquez describes his own struggle-filled experience trying to adjust from his Hispanic background and language to his new American identity and the language now available to him. Lacking the confidence and the ability to communicate well in school, Rodriquez felt pressured and uncomfortable in this new environment, especially since the teachers pushed him to communicate and speak out often in class (236). Shunning this stressful environment and the unknown experiences that could result in upcoming life changes, Rodriquez avoided learning English for a while by finding comfort and security at home where he and his family supported each other and communicated solely in their native language, Spanish.…show more content… Also, since their children could now communicate really well in English, the parents had a difficult time understanding their children, and the kids often became frustrated after trying to communicate the same thing multiple times to their parents without being successfully understood (Rodriquez 238). Now, the parents and children were no longer united with a common fear of society and need for help and comfort from each other in order to thrive and feel comfortable in their “new” environment. Although Rodriquez celebrates his adjustment to society, the price he had to pay in family closeness still casts a dim shadow over his victorious achievement (239). In the end, Rodriquez demonstrates his desire for an overall different approach and experience for bilingual students in educational programs in America. If the students’ submersion into American culture and educational programs was done more gradually, it would help keep Hispanic students from experiencing that kind of trauma and separation from their own cultural background and family, but still allow them to gain a positive experience and knowledge of
