"The Girl Who Can" - Ama Ata Aidoo

While I do not suggest that this story is primarily about sexuality, this story nevertheless reminded me of the theorist Foucault, who claims that children become the subject of adult sexual discourse at a very young age. The Nana is concerned with Adjoa's ability to reproduce from the time she is born, emphasizing her belief that a woman's goal in life is to have children. Yet the wisdom of the child surpasses that of her elder because she expressed that she knew all along her legs were worth something, if not for supporting large hips. Foucault also says that the child's sexuality is somewhat shaped for him and her by preconceived notions of what is "normal" in society. Yet Adjoa escapes being effected by her Nana's critiques because she never succumbs to the idea that real women have meat on their legs. Adjoa, though she is seven years old, therefore becomes the voice of wisdom in this text.