The conflict between Sara and her father mirrors that of Ana and her mother. Reb and Carmen both try to control and manipulate their daughters by appealing to traditional cultural values. Gender is at the heart of their struggle, as gender norms are critical to their old-fashioned worldviews. Interestingly, there are traditionalists in both Bread Givers and in Real Women Have Curves who retain their ethnic identities while promoting gender equality. For example, Ana's grandfather relays a tale about a treasure-filled mountain in Mexico. He tells the tale to a captivated Ana before telling her that he wants Ana to "find her gold" too. Ana's father and grandfather support her academic achievements and want her to take advantage of the scholarship. In Bread Givers, Sara meets another traditional Polish-American. Although Hugo is not Jewish, he and Sara bond over their cultural identity and prove that ethnic pride does not need to clash with progressive social values.

Both Moses and Carmen directly oppose and inhibit their daughters from attending college. Their views seem ironic given the immigrant struggle to achieve the American Dream. Readers of Bread Givers and viewers of Real Women Have Curves recognize the paradox of an immigrant parent that discourages their child from achieving upward social mobility via the education system. Thus, gender is the most salient variable that causes Carmen and Moses to react vehemently to their daughters' desires. It is as if Ana and Sara struck deep chords in their parents. Their achievements symbolize change, and a break from traditional. Gender norms are fundamental to the culture; breaking gender norms symbolizes assimilation. Both Carmen and Reb fight against their daughters because they want to cling to tradition. Whether it is Reb's religious studies or Carmen's soap opera addiction, clinging to culture is one of the main themes in both stories.

Gender is the primary way Carmen and Reb cling...

By controlling their daughters, they can theoretically have access to the next generation. Carmen and Reb use various methods to manipulate their daughters and inhibit their personal and professional growth. Reb and his new wife write a letter to Sara's school to try and sabotage her. The act is insidious, showing the extend of Reb's resentment of his daughter's rebellion. Ana's mother Carmen cannot appreciate that her daughter has earned a scholarship to one of the most prestigious universities in the nation. Carmen makes Ana feel guilty and smothers her emotionally. Whereas Carmen wants her daughter to become a miniature model of her, Reb does not understand what he wants out of his daughters. The title of Yezierska's book testifies that Reb does not value women as human beings. They are, simply, bread givers.
Sara of Bread Givers and Ana of Real Women Have Curves are constrained by traditional gender roles and norms. Immigrant families strive to create a multicultural society in America, by holding on to traditional values and behavioral norms. Eating traditional foods, speaking in mother tongue, and conforming to gender norms are signs of belonging to the community. Breaking free from those norms represents an affront to the traditional culture. Carmen does not want Ana to leave the garment factory because of the factory symbolizes Carmen' herself. To criticize the garment factory is to criticize Carmen. Reb does not want Sara to become a teacher because he views himself as a patriarch. Neither Carmen nor Reb have achieved the American Dream, and they seem hell-bent on preventing their daughters from achieving what they could not.