Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristicsHistory of MachismoIn Society and RelationshipsHow Machismo Contributes to a Violent SocietyMachismo and MarianismoImpact on Mental Health

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Characteristics

History of Machismo

In Society and Relationships

How Machismo Contributes to a Violent Society

Machismo and Marianismo

Impact on Mental Health

Close

Machismodescribes a strong or exaggerated sense of manliness; an assumptive attitude that virility, courage, strength, and entitlement to dominate are attributes or concomitants of masculinity.

Stemming from the Spanish word “macho,”Machismois a social construction of masculinity common across Latin American and Spanish culture that maps out how men should engage with their gender based on virility, courage, strength, and power.

The assumptive nature of Machismo is traditionally ingrained in men throughoutLatinx culturesand impacts how they behave, speak and interact with others and their role in their household and society.

What Is Machismo Behavior?

Machismo encompasses positive and negative aspects of masculinity including bravery, honor, dominance, aggression, sexism, sexual prowess, and reserved emotions.

PositivesBraveryHonorSexual prowessNegativesReserved emotionsSexismDominanceAggression

PositivesBraveryHonorSexual prowess

Bravery

Honor

Sexual prowess

NegativesReserved emotionsSexismDominanceAggression

Reserved emotions

Sexism

Dominance

Aggression

It’s believed that these strict gender roles, likemarianismo(the opposite of machismo and directs how women should behave) are a result of Christian influence during the colonization of Latin America.

The word itself has only been in popular use since the early 20th century.

What Are Examples of Machismo?

Machismo culture is multidimensional. At its worst and most collectively understood, Machismo enforcestoxic masculinity.

Machismo Enforces Toxic MasculinityWhen Machismo is adhered to, men’s worthiness is attributed to a traditional narrative of a kind of hyper-masculinity that is authoritarian and emotionally restrictive.

Machismo Enforces Toxic Masculinity

When Machismo is adhered to, men’s worthiness is attributed to a traditional narrative of a kind of hyper-masculinity that is authoritarian and emotionally restrictive.

Dominance Is Seen as a Admirable Trait

Men are taught that they need to exercise their power through dominance because they are men. They can work hard and provide monetarily for their family, and as a result of fulfilling this role as a breadwinner, can treat their spouses however they wish.

Machismo Fosters the Idea That Men Are Superior to WomenBy doing so, men do not need to feel or learn how to control or express their emotions. To embrace the toxic value ofmisogynywithin Machismo is to respond to the world (and most importantly, women) as a “Machista,” a male chauvinist. In other words, someone who believes that they are better than women just because they are men.

Machismo Fosters the Idea That Men Are Superior to Women

By doing so, men do not need to feel or learn how to control or express their emotions. To embrace the toxic value ofmisogynywithin Machismo is to respond to the world (and most importantly, women) as a “Machista,” a male chauvinist. In other words, someone who believes that they are better than women just because they are men.

Bravery Is a Positive Attribute—Until It’s Not

Machismo culture is most widely understood as a ‘culture of toxicity,’ but not every originating value of Machismo is inherently inexcusable.To be braveis not an inherently harmful virtue. Brave people are often looked upon with reverence across societies, stories, and traditions.

What, unfortunately, makes bravery toxic in this context is when it is mixed with the other trademarks of Machismo like sexism, dominance, and aggression. To be Machismo is to be a practitioner of that mix.

Machismo at its worst assumes thatviolence toward womenandLGBTQIA+people is excusable. It’s widely documented that Machismo contributes to femicide (the murder of women because they are women),homophobia, and domestic violence, issues that are pervasive across Latin America and traditional LatinX communities.

The Murder of Women

High Rates of FemicideReported cases of femicides have surged across Latin America in the last 20 years. In 2020, Brazil “registered a total of 1,738 murder cases that were classified as femicides,” the highest number of gender-based violent deaths in the region. In Mexico (in the same year), 948 women were killed in a case of femicide.

High Rates of Femicide

Reported cases of femicides have surged across Latin America in the last 20 years. In 2020, Brazil “registered a total of 1,738 murder cases that were classified as femicides,” the highest number of gender-based violent deaths in the region. In Mexico (in the same year), 948 women were killed in a case of femicide.

Femicide is not exclusive just to Brazil and Mexico. It can be seen across Latin American countries, with more than 30 countries implementing laws against domestic violence.According to the United Nations, the region houses 14 of the 25 countries with the highest rate of femicide in the world.

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Discrimination and Violence Against the LGBTQIA+ Community

Machismo does not just perpetuate femicide, it also leads to documented prejudice against LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Since Machismo provides an outline of hyper-masculine character traits (which traditionally perpetuates the homophobic narrative that heterosexual marriage is the only form of marriage), Machismo men are not likely to engage with, respect, or entertain LGBTQIA+ identities.

LGBTQIA+ Violence in Latin America and the Caribbean: Statistics

In the five years leading up to 2019:

Aggressive Behavior

Aggression, as a trademark of Machismo, can be deadly for anyone who is not acis-hetero male in Latin American countries and even in some Latinx communities in the United States if and where Machismo is upheld.

LGBT National HotlineIf you are seeking support for issues with coming out, relationships, bullying, self-harm, and more, contact theLGBT National Hotlineat1-888-843-4564for one-to-one peer support.

LGBT National Hotline

If you are seeking support for issues with coming out, relationships, bullying, self-harm, and more, contact theLGBT National Hotlineat1-888-843-4564for one-to-one peer support.

Machismo and Its Opposite—Marianismo

Where Machismo encompasses various aspects of masculinity and assigns a constructed view of how men should act, it also upholds attitudinal beliefs about the role of women.

In traditional Machismo culture, women are seen as homemakers. They are to be wives and mothers who cook, clean the house, and take care of the children.

Machismo and Marianismo Create Strict LatinX Gender Roles

Machismo’s existence is symbiotic with Marianismo.The two are co-existing social constructs about gender roles, with Marianismo perpetuating the idea of a woman as a homemaker, mother, and caretaker of the family.

Marianismo Characterizes the Woman’s Role

How Machismo Impacts Mental Health

Machismo has been found to be related to increased levels ofdepressionand stress among men. With restrictive emotionality acting as a key characteristic of Machismo,men are not taught that their emotions are real, valid, or worthy of being expressed.

They are taught to not engage with their emotions unless it’s pride or anger.

The Best Online Therapy Services for Depression We Tried and Tested

Machismo Perpetuates Mental Health Stigma in LatinX Culture

The perpetuation of Machismo contributes to the prevailing stigma against seeking therapy or mental health services in the Latinx community. Machismo, although multidimensional in nature, historically creates a toxic environment for all, including those looking to grow up in a more progressive, mentally healthy household.

The Most Inclusive Online Therapy Platforms We Tried and Tested

A Word From Verywell

It’s important to note that not all those of LatinX origin perpetuate the toxic aspects of machismo culture. However, if you find that you’re struggling with depression or another mental health issue, it’s OK to open up and be vulnerable and ask for help.

You can rely on a support system that you trust or speak with amental health professionalwho is culturally sensitive and understands how LatinX culture impacts the perception of mental health.

LatinX Therapyhas an extensivedirectory of LatinX therapists. The directory includes Spanish-speaking therapists of varying genders and nationalities so there’s a good chance you’ll find someone who you will feel comfortable with.

Crisis SupportIf you or a loved one are struggling with a mental health crisis, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.988

Crisis Support

If you or a loved one are struggling with a mental health crisis, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with a mental health crisis, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988.

988

8 Mental Health Resources for the Latino Community

11 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dictionary.com.Machismo.Nuñez A, González P, Talavera GA, et al.Machismo, Marianismo, and Negative Cognitive-Emotional Factors: Findings From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study.J Lat Psychol. 2016;4(4):202-217. doi:10.1037/lat0000050Merriam-Webster Dictionary.Machismo.Statista.Number of registered femicide victims in selected Latin American countries in 2020.Vision of Humanity.Understanding the dynamics of femicide in Mexico.Population Reference Bureau.Domestic Violence: An Ongoing Threat to Women in Latin America and the Caribbean.UN Women.Supporting rural and Indigenous women in Argentina as gender-based violence rises during the COVID-19 pandemic.Hirai, M., Dolma, S., Popan, J.R.et al.Machismo Predicts Prejudice Toward Lesbian and Gay Individuals: Testing a Mediating Role of Contact.Sex Res Soc Policy.2018;15:497–503.Reuters.LGBT+ murders at ‘alarming’ levels in Latin America - study.WMST-L.Marianismo: Origin and Meaning.Fragoso JM, Kashubeck S.Machismo, gender role conflict, and mental health in Mexican American men.Psychology of Men & Masculinity. 2000;1(2):87-97.

11 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dictionary.com.Machismo.Nuñez A, González P, Talavera GA, et al.Machismo, Marianismo, and Negative Cognitive-Emotional Factors: Findings From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study.J Lat Psychol. 2016;4(4):202-217. doi:10.1037/lat0000050Merriam-Webster Dictionary.Machismo.Statista.Number of registered femicide victims in selected Latin American countries in 2020.Vision of Humanity.Understanding the dynamics of femicide in Mexico.Population Reference Bureau.Domestic Violence: An Ongoing Threat to Women in Latin America and the Caribbean.UN Women.Supporting rural and Indigenous women in Argentina as gender-based violence rises during the COVID-19 pandemic.Hirai, M., Dolma, S., Popan, J.R.et al.Machismo Predicts Prejudice Toward Lesbian and Gay Individuals: Testing a Mediating Role of Contact.Sex Res Soc Policy.2018;15:497–503.Reuters.LGBT+ murders at ‘alarming’ levels in Latin America - study.WMST-L.Marianismo: Origin and Meaning.Fragoso JM, Kashubeck S.Machismo, gender role conflict, and mental health in Mexican American men.Psychology of Men & Masculinity. 2000;1(2):87-97.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Dictionary.com.Machismo.Nuñez A, González P, Talavera GA, et al.Machismo, Marianismo, and Negative Cognitive-Emotional Factors: Findings From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study.J Lat Psychol. 2016;4(4):202-217. doi:10.1037/lat0000050Merriam-Webster Dictionary.Machismo.Statista.Number of registered femicide victims in selected Latin American countries in 2020.Vision of Humanity.Understanding the dynamics of femicide in Mexico.Population Reference Bureau.Domestic Violence: An Ongoing Threat to Women in Latin America and the Caribbean.UN Women.Supporting rural and Indigenous women in Argentina as gender-based violence rises during the COVID-19 pandemic.Hirai, M., Dolma, S., Popan, J.R.et al.Machismo Predicts Prejudice Toward Lesbian and Gay Individuals: Testing a Mediating Role of Contact.Sex Res Soc Policy.2018;15:497–503.Reuters.LGBT+ murders at ‘alarming’ levels in Latin America - study.WMST-L.Marianismo: Origin and Meaning.Fragoso JM, Kashubeck S.Machismo, gender role conflict, and mental health in Mexican American men.Psychology of Men & Masculinity. 2000;1(2):87-97.

Dictionary.com.Machismo.

Nuñez A, González P, Talavera GA, et al.Machismo, Marianismo, and Negative Cognitive-Emotional Factors: Findings From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study.J Lat Psychol. 2016;4(4):202-217. doi:10.1037/lat0000050

Merriam-Webster Dictionary.Machismo.

Statista.Number of registered femicide victims in selected Latin American countries in 2020.

Vision of Humanity.Understanding the dynamics of femicide in Mexico.

Population Reference Bureau.Domestic Violence: An Ongoing Threat to Women in Latin America and the Caribbean.

UN Women.Supporting rural and Indigenous women in Argentina as gender-based violence rises during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hirai, M., Dolma, S., Popan, J.R.et al.Machismo Predicts Prejudice Toward Lesbian and Gay Individuals: Testing a Mediating Role of Contact.Sex Res Soc Policy.2018;15:497–503.

Reuters.LGBT+ murders at ‘alarming’ levels in Latin America - study.

WMST-L.Marianismo: Origin and Meaning.

Fragoso JM, Kashubeck S.Machismo, gender role conflict, and mental health in Mexican American men.Psychology of Men & Masculinity. 2000;1(2):87-97.

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