{"id":16256,"date":"2024-10-10T17:16:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T17:16:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/?p=16256"},"modified":"2024-10-10T17:16:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T17:16:51","slug":"breaking-down-machismo-the-cultural-shift-towards-healthy-masculinity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/2024\/10\/10\/breaking-down-machismo-the-cultural-shift-towards-healthy-masculinity\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking Down Machismo: The Cultural Shift Towards Healthy Masculinity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Torn paper written machismo, portuguese and spanish word for chauvism, over wooden background. Old and abandoned idea or practice. Macro photography.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Guest Post by Caleigh Clarke, Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coordinator, at the Wellness Resource Center, and Ella Lathan, Assistant Director for Editorial, at Temple University Libraries <\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Machismo is defined<\/a> as \u201ca strong or exaggerated sense of manliness.\u201d.<\/s> It is derived from the Spanish word \u201cmacho\u201d and can convey positive characteristics of masculinity such as bravery and honor. However, it can also enforce negative behaviors like aggression, dominance, and rejecting vulnerability. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Men being raised with machismo culture are sometimes taught to constantly assert dominance in ways such as verbal abuse, physical abuse, blackmailing, and more when their power is \u201cthreatened.\u201d There are a multitude of situations that women can challenge male dominance, i.e. women having better jobs and incomes, or being more educated<\/a>. What does that mean for the women who embark in an intimate relationship with them?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Machismo can create a culture in which violence toward women and LGBTQIA+ people is deemed excusable. In recent years, machismo has been heavily linked to femicide (the murder of women because they are women), homophobia, and domestic violence issues that are spreading across Latin America and traditional LatinX communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Two figures with puzzle pieces in between them reading “respect, love, intimacy, trust, and commitment”, courtesy of AdobeStock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Addressing the issue of machismo culture is essential not only for Latin men but also for women within these communities. Women are often raised to internalize this culture, which can perpetuate misogyny and hinder progress toward gender equality. Many women come to believe that seeking empowerment or holding men accountable for harmful actions is rebellious or attention-seeking, which reinforces traditional gender roles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This internalization has serious consequences, particularly in cases of interpersonal violence. Many incidents go unreported because women fear losing their primary provider or bringing social shame to their families. The pressure to conform to societal expectations can silence victims and perpetuate cycles of abuse. To foster a healthier environment, it is crucial to challenge these beliefs and promote open dialogue about the negative impacts of machismo culture, empowering women and encouraging accountability among men.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Research in this Subject Area<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Research indicates that Latino men often experience exposure to familial violence during their formative years, which can significantly influence their conflict resolution strategies in adolescence and beyond. This early exposure to violence as a normative behavior has been correlated with an increased likelihood of perpetrating intimate partner violence in early adulthood.<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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