ALFREDO MIRANDE

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”

HOMBRES Y MACHOSFrom 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 Chapultepe

cLos Niños Héroes-US Invasion of 1847-Military school boys defended the Castle-Rather than surrendering, died defending their country. One wearing flag.

EXPLANATIONS FOR EMERGENCE OF MASCULINE DISPLAYS AMONG MEXICANS1. 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

 ¡VIVA MÉXICO HIJOS DE LA CHINGADA!LONG LIVE MEXICO, CHILDREN OF THE GREAT WHORE!

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.

PELADOSamuel 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 dominance within a patriarchal society.

Problem with theory: pelado is weak and cowardly. His aggressiveness and assertiveness are used to conceal feelings of insecurity.

1. Only applies to lower classWe may not have art, but we have balls

2. Reveals a one dimensional character which refuses to acknowledge manifestations

PANCHO VILLAREVOLUTIONARY LEADER

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 was celebrated not because of the outcome but because he had balls enough to take on the yanquis.

Sanchez Boys-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

“Wanted us to face our fear directly and conquer it” & be“willing to defend the family honor.”

ROLE OF LATINO FATHERS

• Miguel Grande

• Fausto• Alfredo’s

Father

BEM SEX ROLE INVENTORY Created by Sandra

Bem

“Measurement of the extent to which respondents sort self-relevant information into distinct masculine and feminine categories.”

“Provides independent assessments of masculinity and femininity in terms of the respondent’s self-reported possession of socially desirable, stereotypically masculine and feminine personality traits”

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.

60 Questions

Bem Sex Role Inventory

1.      self-reliant2.      yielding3.      helpful4.      defends own beliefs5.      cheerful6.      moody7.      independent8.      shy9.      conscientious10.  athletic11.  affectionate12.  theatrical13.  assertive14.  flatterable15.  happy

16.  strong personality17.  loyal18.  unpredictable19.  forceful20.  feminine21.  reliable22.  analytical23.  sympathetic24.  jealous25.  has leadership abilities26.  sensitive to the needs of others27.  truthful28.  willing to take risks29.  understanding30.  secretive

31.  makes decisions easily32.  compassionate33.  sincere34.  self-sufficient35.  eager to soothe hurt feelings36.  conceited37.  dominant38.  soft-spoken39.  likable40.  masculine41.  warm42.  solemn43.  willing to take a stand44.  tender45.  friendly

46.  aggressive47.  gullible48.  inefficient49.  acts as a leader50.  childlike51.  adaptable52.  individualistic53.  does not use harsh language54.  unsystematic55.  competitive56.  loves children57.  tactful58.  ambitious59.  gentle60.  conventional

1.      self-reliant2.      yielding3.      helpful4.      defends own beliefs5.      cheerful6.      moody7.      independent8.      shy9.      conscientious10.  athletic11.  affectionate12.  theatrical13.  assertive14.  flatterable15.  happy

16.  strong personality17.  loyal18.  unpredictable19.  forceful20.  feminine21.  reliable22.  analytical23.  sympathetic24.  jealous25.  has leadership abilities26.  sensitive to the needs of others27.  truthful28.  willing to take risks29.  understanding30.  secretive

31.  makes decisions easily32.  compassionate33.  sincere34.  self-sufficient35.  eager to soothe hurt feelings36.  conceited37.  dominant38.  soft-spoken39.  likable40.  masculine41.  warm42.  solemn43.  willing to take a stand44.  tender45.  friendly

46.  aggressive47.  gullible48.  inefficient49.  acts as a leader50.  childlike51.  adaptable52.  individualistic53.  does not use harsh language54.  unsystematic55.  competitive56.  loves children57.  tactful58.  ambitious59.  gentle60.  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, self-sufficient, 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.

MAIN INFERENCE

Masculine and feminine traits such as the items on the Bem scale are culture specific.

-example: loyaltyAnglo: more limited;monogamy and sexual fidelityLatino: more expansive concept; ‘not sex-linked’ quality-presence of role reversals indicated the 3rd factor of hypermasculinity

Why is it more acceptable for Latino men than Anglo men to have traits in both spectrums?

•Negative items in factor 3 = ‘feminine’ qualities•Factor 3= non-feminine dimension

LATINO CONCEPTIONS

•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.

MIRANDÉ SEX ROLE INVENTORY (MSRI)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

CATEGORIES OF THEMIRANDÉ SEX ROLE INVENTORY (MSRI)

1) A Double Sexual Standard for Men and Women A woman should always be faithful to her husbandIt 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 husbandA real man has complete respect and authority in the familyThe father is the more influential parentA 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 mindOne 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 EmotionalA sign of a real man is the ability to withstand pain, hardship, or failureLittle boys should be taught that men do not cryMen should never cry or show their feelingsA father should not kiss or be too emotional with his sons

•Machissmo component• Rank 6 doesn’t fit• Refine analysis further:

New facto

r

•Takes into consideration male sensitivity•Niether masculine nor feminine

NATIVITY, LANGUAGE, AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS DIFFERENCES •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

• MSRI- higher education and higher income less traditional conceptions of gender role i.e. Rain God

• BSRI-higher 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

Causes of gender identification

HOUSEHOLD CHORES, POWER, INTERACTION WITH CHILDREN, & MARITAL HAPPINESS

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=Sqz5dbs5zmo