Chiquita's Cocoon : The Latina Woman's Guide to Greater Power, Love, Money, Status, and Happiness

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Summary: Bettina Flores does not flinch when speaking the truth.
Review: Chiquita's Cocoon is a wonderful book to use in high school and college classes to address issues of gender equity, cultural limitations and personal transformation. Bettina Flores is not afraid to lay it on the line, even when dealing with controversial ideas and viewpoints. Macho men may hate it, but Chiquita's Cocoon is a courageous sharing of personal revelation, earned over many years of living life and facing the TRUTH, be it politically correct or not. Thank you, Bettina! Don Lockman

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Summary: 20 Sizzling Attributes of Chiquita's Cocoon
Review: CHIQUITA'S COCOON OFFERS...the Latina (and other women trapped in similar cocoons) something she has never had before --awareness-- and a chance to grow. IT GIVES...the Latina an opportunity to learn that she is not alone in her dilemma. IT UNBLOCKS...harbored feelings that cause undue guilt. IT GRANTS...her permission to have feelings, to act, to have a life. IT CLUES...her in to the fact that many things she learned as a child are not beneficial to her as an adult. IT ENCOURAGES...her to change outdated; self-defeating behavior. IT TEACHES...exciting new strategies for getting what she wants out of life. It URGES...her to use foresight in planning her future. IT EXCITES...her about having choices in life. IT INSISTS...that education provides these choices. IT OPENS...the door to broader thinking and wider visions. IT WARNS...her about large-family conditioning, the grip of machismo, and religious repression. IT PROMOTES...open, independent thinking. IT INSPIRES...her to free herself from the shackles of poverty, IT CHALLENGES...her to overcome the fear of asking and risking. IT STIMULATES...her intelligent and emotional self to believe that she is capable, confident, and courageous. IT SOOTHES...her fears of becoming Anglicized. IT ALLOWS...her to retain her cultural heritage, even while going through changes in her outlook. IT PROVIDES...personal, private support to those who are not ready to seek outside support of peers. FINALLY ....CHIQUITA'S COCOON gives the Latina her wings!

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Summary: Very helpful in the upbringing of Hispanic young women.
Review: I only wish I could write a book just like this one. It is "My Life". I am a Hispanic woman who grew up with very stereotype roles. These roles are hard to break out of without guilt that you are letting your parents down. I've reread the book three times. It takes strength to come through and pursue your dreams, even if they are not your customary ones. Great book!