 Born
in Mexico City
 Came to the United States at the
age of nine
 Professor of Sociology and Ethnic
Studies
 Research reflects research
strategy that seeks to introduce
Latino Critical Theory to Critical
Race Theory.
 Author of “Hombres Y Machos”
From the Description
“…providing an integrated view of
Latino men, masculinity, and
fatherhood-in the process refuting
many common myths and
misconceptions. Examining how
Latino men view themselves [he]
argues that prevailing conceptions
of men, masculinity, and gender are
inadequate because they are based
not on universal norms but on
limited and culturally specific
conceptions.”
 Grew
up in
Tenochtitlan (Mexico
City & Capital of
Aztec Empire)
 After his parent’s
divorce, he went to
live with his dad and
grandmother in
Tacubaya, near
Chapultepec
 He and his brother
would go to the
Castle of Chapultepec
Castillo de
Chapultepec
Los Niños Héroes
-US Invasion of 1847-Military school
boys defended the Castle
-Rather than surrendering, died
defending their country. One wearing
flag.
1. Obsessive concern with manhood by Indian and Mestizo men as a result of
the Spanish Conquest. Most negative view because it assumes that
“Mexican Protest” is a result of feelings of powerless and weakness.
2. Emphasis on masculinity was a part of the Spanish society prior to the
Conquest and it was imposed on the native population.
3. Masculine displays may have had pre-Colombian origins that predated the
arrival of the Spaniards. (Aztecs divided into separate spheres).
“Many societies build up an elusive or exclusionary image of manhood through
cultural sanctions, rituals, or trials of skill and endurance” –Gilmore
Battle cry on Mexican Independence Day on September
16- all Mexicans are acknowledged as children of a single
mythical mother.
In The Labyrinth of Solitute Mexican philosopher Octavio
Paz attributed feelings of inferiority to the conquest of
Mexico which was a moral downfall as well as a military
conquest. The problems were reflected through this
phrase.
La Chingada is a metaphorical mother who is symbolized
by the native women that were raped by the
conquistadores. She is passive and inert. Represented by
La Malinche in folklore, who was given to Hernan Cortes
as a slave and was labeled as a whore and traitor.
This view holds that the “cult of machismo” developed an
overly massive and aggressive response to compensate for
feelings of weakness and powerlessness acquired during
the conquest.
Samuel Ramos argued that hypermasculinity is a
form of masculine protest which aims to mask
feelings of inferiority.
Argument does not suggest that they are
inferior, they just feel that they are.
Prototype of character is the pelado which
means naked and connotes a lowly person.
There exists a phallic obsession and attributes
every type of power to the reproductive organ.
The success of a man becomes attributed to his
balls, despite lack of economic power and social
status.
“Yo soy tu padre” is used to assert power and 1. Only applies to lower class
We may not have art, but we have
dominance within a patriarchal society.
balls
2. Reveals a one dimensional
Problem with theory: pelado is weak and
character which refuses to
cowardly. His aggressiveness and assertiveness acknowledge manifestations
are used to conceal feelings of insecurity.
A man who is a mueriego or
womanizer is referred to as a
conquistador, for symbolically
“conquering” women.
Machismo was associated with the
sexual sphere during the colonial
period and transferred to the political
area once independence from Spain
was attained.
The Mexican Revolution in 1910
produced machismo and Pancho Villa
became the epitome of Mexican
Manliness.
He was appealing because like the
pelado he sympolized the lower class
person standing against the dominant
classes.
He was brave, did not back down,
and would not take from anyone.
Invasion against the United States
Sanchez Boys
“Wanted us to face our
fear directly and conquer
it” & be
“willing to defend the
family honor.”
-Yelled things, trying to
be intimidating.
-Very poor
-Chapulin stood on
tracks
-At tía’s house the boys
threw a rock into the
window, challenging his
family to a fight
-Father made brother
Gordo go outside and
fight the boy, urging
him to confront his
fears
•
•
•
Miguel Grande
Fausto
Alfredo’s
Father
 Created
by Sandra
Bem
 “Measurement
of the
extent to which
respondents sort selfrelevant information
into distinct masculine
and feminine
categories.”
 “Provides
independent
assessments of
masculinity and
femininity in terms of
the respondent’s selfreported possession of
socially desirable,
stereotypically
masculine and feminine
personality traits”
Bem Sex Role
Inventory
60 Questions
Rate yourself on each item, on a scale
from 1 (almost never true) to 7 (almost
always true)
-20 masculine characteristics
-20 feminine characteristics
-20 neutral characteristics
Add up your rankings for masculine
characteristics and feminine
characteristics.
Divide the total of each by 20.
1.
self-reliant
2.
yielding
3.
helpful
4.
defends own
beliefs
5.
cheerful
6.
moody
7.
independent
8.
shy
9.
conscientious
10. athletic
11. affectionate
12. theatrical
13. assertive
14. flatterable
15. happy
31. makes decisions
easily
32. compassionate
33. sincere
34. self-sufficient
35. eager to soothe
hurt feelings
36. conceited
16. strong personality 37. dominant
38. soft-spoken
17. loyal
39. likable
18. unpredictable
40. masculine
19. forceful
41. warm
20. feminine
42. solemn
21. reliable
43. willing to take a
22. analytical
stand
23. sympathetic
44. tender
24. jealous
45. friendly
25. has leadership
abilities
26. sensitive to the
needs of others
27. truthful
28. willing to take risks
29. understanding
30. secretive
46. aggressive
47. gullible
48. inefficient
49. acts as a leader
50. childlike
51. adaptable
52. individualistic
53. does not use
harsh language
54. unsystematic
55. competitive
56. loves children
57. tactful
58. ambitious
59. gentle
60. conventional
1.
self-reliant
2.
yielding
3.
helpful
4.
defends own
beliefs
5.
cheerful
16. strong personality
6.
moody
17. loyal
7.
independent 18. unpredictable
8.
shy
19. forceful
9.
conscientious 20. feminine
10. athletic
21. reliable
11. affectionate 22. analytical
12. theatrical
23. sympathetic
13. assertive
24. jealous
14. flatterable
25. has leadership
15. happy
abilities
26. sensitive to the
needs of others
27. truthful
28. willing to take risks
29. understanding
30. secretive
31. makes decisions
easily
32. compassionate
33. sincere
34. self-sufficient
35. eager to soothe
hurt feelings
36. conceited
37. dominant
38. soft-spoken
39. likable
40. masculine
41. warm
42. solemn
43. willing to take a
stand
44. tender
45. friendly
46. aggressive
47. gullible
48. inefficient
49. acts as a leader
50. childlike
51. adaptable
52. individualistic
53. does not use
harsh language
54. unsystematic
55. competitive
56. loves children
57. tactful
58. ambitious
59. gentle
60. conventional
-The Bem Scale showcases masculinity and femininity as independent
-in order to explore validity, Latino respondents were considered
Latino men found themselves to
be self-reliant, self-sufficient,
and willing to take a stand to
defend their beliefs.
They have masculine traits such
as independence, assertiveness,
and leadership abilities.
Hypermasculine traits
represented: self-reliant, selfsufficient, and forceful.
They thought of themselves as
loving children, being loyal,
compassionate, sympathetic, and
sensitive to the needs of others.
Traits defined as “feminine” such
as “affectionate, warm,
sympathetic, tender, emotional,
and sensitive are more
acceptable to Latino men.
More culturally acceptable for
them to cry and be emotional.
Loyalty highly valued.
Why is it more acceptable for Latino men than Anglo men to have
traits in both spectrums?
Masculine and feminine traits such as the items on the Bem scale are
culture specific.
-example: loyalty
Anglo: more limited;monogamy and sexual fidelity
Latino: more expansive concept; ‘not sex-linked’ quality
-presence of role reversals indicated the 3rd factor of hypermasculinity
•Negative items in factor 3 = ‘feminine’ qualities
•Factor 3= non-feminine dimension
•From this study, Latino men most identified with the
hypermasculine persona.
•Situational and need sociocutltural context
•‘Una persona decente’ ‘bien educada’
•Could be why Latinos are sterotypically more
‘family-oriented’, ‘loving’, and ‘sensitive’ to name
a few.
•Loosely prescribed male role and focuses on the
restrictions of the female role.
Taken from dichos, consejos, cuentos, and corridos.
(Cultural “truths”, words of advice passed on from elders to youth, stories, and folk
ballads)
Representation of traditional Latino values regarding role of men
and women.
- El hombre debe tener los calzones en la familia
The man should wear the pants in the family
-La palabra de un hombre vale mas que nada
A man’s word is his most important posession
-Es preferible morir parado que vivir en rodillas
It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees
-El verdadero hombre tiene respeto y autoridad completa en la familia
A real man has complete respect and authority in the family
Also concerns marital fidelity and the role of the male in the family.
-A man should always be faithful to her husband
-Even if a man cannot provide for his family, he should still be the boss
-A married woman should not dance with another man unless her
husband gives his permission
•7 items directly relate to women, 3 to men but indirectly to women
•Traditional values of women
•Honor, respect and be faithful to man
•Men holding privileged position in home
1) A Double Sexual Standard for Men and Women
A woman should always be faithful to her husband
It is natural for a man to fool around before and after marriage
2) The Idea that the Male is or Should be the Dominant Figure in the Home
A woman should honor and obey her husband
A real man has complete respect and authority in the family
The father is the more influential parent
A man’s home is his castle
3) The Importance of Maintaining Honor and Integrity in the family
A man should be willing to take a stand or take risks for something that he believes
in, even at the risk of losing his life.
Once a man gives his word or agrees to something, he should not change his mind
One of the worst things that a man can do is to disgrace or dishonor his family
4) Toughness and the Notion that Men Should be Tough and Not Cry or be Too
Emotional
A sign of a real man is the ability to withstand pain, hardship, or failure
Little boys should be taught that men do not cry
Men should never cry or show their feelings
A father should not kiss or be too emotional with his sons
•Machissmo component
•Rank 6 doesn’t fit
•Refine analysis further:
New
factor
•Takes into consideration male sensitivity
•Niether masculine nor feminine
Causes of
gender
identification
•Conventional conceptions don’t directly apply to non majorities
•Items are culture specific
•MSRI= more valid
•Hypothesis= middle and upper class men would be less traditional and
more androgynous
• MSRIhigher education and higher income  less traditional conceptions
of gender role i.e. Rain God
• BSRIhigher education and higher income  higher masculinity (factor
1) ---not as valid
•differences in people who took the test in English or another language
•English= more traditional values Vs. Another language= more
diverse opinions of gender traits
Results of
gender
identification
•Surprising results
•MSRI- men who ranked high in traditionalism were
more likely to help with chores than men who ranked
higher on the sensitivity component
•BSRI- only correlation with marital happiness
-men who scored high on the feminine factor
tended to have happier marriages
-scale of androgyny didn’t show significant results
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqz5d
bs5zmo