Machismo in Hispanic Culture PAGE 6
Machismo in Hispanic CultureDanielle GonzalezCalifornia State University, FresnoSpanish 125 Hispanic Culture9:00 AM - 9:50 AMIsolina Sands Ed.D.September 24, 2014What is your sex? What is your gender? Have you ever wondered what the difference was? In Laymen's terms, sex has to do with your chromosomes and genetic making; your sex is determined at birth depending on what sexual "equipment" you came into this world with. Gender, on the other hand, has to do with your mentality and which gender you identify with (Arnold). The Latin community has been known for having a very distinct definition of a man than most other cultures. A Latin boy must do a ...view middle of the document...
A man must prove that no task is a feat to him. He must be seemingly invincible and prove to everybody that he is as manly as it gets. He who shows weakness of any sort is not a man at all. According to the Latin tradition a true macho must show that he is not afraid of anything. He must prove that he is capable of protecting the women of his family and defending his masculinity against all and any threats to his manhood. When there are differences between men, whether verbal or physical, the challenge is to be met with fists. A man is measured by his masculinity, strength and physical power (Giraldo).Although some of the traits that are "required" in the Latin community are seemingly rational, such as the protection of their family, others are quite dense. For example, a man should be capable of drinking great quantities of liquor at a very young age without getting drunk. The way a man handles his liquor is a huge factor in determining their masculinity (Giraldo). It is well known that Hispanics and Latinos partake in many celebrations and that there is more often than not alcohol at these parties. Men must learn how to drink at a young age because those who do not know how to drink are seen as feminine and weak.Another major characteristic that the men of the Latin community use to define masculinity is that of active sexuality. He must know how to coax women and break them from their shell in order to court properly with them, and most importantly, he must know how to properly seduce a woman and be able to make her his own. A man who does not know how to approach a lady and conquer her as a whole is nothing but a boy. One of the most important goals in the life of a man is that of the conquest of women; the more the better. In many cases, it does not even matter if the women are properly seduced or if they even consent to such primitive actions; to take advantage of a women sexually is reason for pride and kudos rather than shame (Ingoldsby). The action of procreation is seen as man in their prime, so a man that is impotent or homosexual is seen as nothing more than a joke and a sorry excuse for a man. A male is one who carries on the family name and keeps the pride going through generations. That being said however, a man who makes the choice of getting a vasectomy is no less of a man than he who chooses to use a condom. The lack of male sterilization in Latin America is not from the fear of change in a man's sexuality but rather the lack of availability (Family Planning Perspectives). Sexual conquest is to gratify male narcissism, they feel the need to let others know of their potency and often brag about their sexual encounters...
