Many people do not understand the hardship of growing up in the Haitian culture. In the book Breath, Eyes, and Memory by Edwidge Danticat, she describes how family values are very important to the Haitian culture and the life of a young woman named Sophie is completely shattered due to the trauma afflicted upon her by her mother's testing. Sexually pure also plays a major role in young Haitian girls" lives. Martine's testing negatively affects Sophie's chances of marrying a prestigious Haitian man because the testing ruins Sophie's self-esteem, and the dynamic scar that the testing lives Sophie with. The Haitian culture requires that young girls must stay a virgin until the day she gets married.
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Sophie is very tormented by the time she becomes a teenager, because her mother often tested her vagina to make sure she remains a virgin. Martine's testing pessimistically affects Sophie's chances of marrying a prestigious Haitian man because Sophie is deeply traumatize and her self-esteem is ruin due to that experience. While her mother is testing her she said, "I mouthed the words to the Virgin Mother's Prayer" (84). The trauma she endures destroys her self-image, and makes her impatient, angry, and frustrated at all time. It makes her depress, hopeless and afraid to take risks. It hurts Sophie to see that her mother, Martine still follows that old tradition even though she sees the pain that causes Sophie. Although her experience makes her feel uncomfortable being with a man, She marries a man named Joseph, who is understanding and compassionate towards her. She finds it difficult to allow Joseph to love her and show his appreciation. .
Many Haitian parents have an immoral way of making sure their daughters are who an "old fashioned" Haitian man would want his wife to be.which is to be sexually pure. Young girls should be able to make decisions about their life, including whom they choose to be with and what they want to achieve.