What is Machismo?

The term machismo describes a style of masculinity, one that is often associated with strong masculine pride and exaggerated physical attributes. This trend began in the early 1930s and is associated with a culture of self-reliance and pride. Despite its negative connotations, many people today are embracing machismo as a lifestyle. If you have ever wondered what machismo means, here are some definitions:Latino machismo
Latino machismo is a pervasive value that defines and obliterates all other influences on men's behavior. Although it defines Latino men as hyper-masculine, many educated Latino men are moving beyond this ideology and embracing the fight against gender oppression. Despite its pervasiveness, machismo isn't the only underlying cause of male violence.The prevalence of machismo in Latino culture is widespread, and it is particularly prevalent in Mexico. Many people believe that the culture contributes to the high rate of violence against women in Mexico, where one in three women suffer physical or sexual abuse from a male intimate partner. This phenomenon has been highlighted by the #MeToo movement, which aims to highlight the pervasiveness of this toxic ideology in Latin America.Meaning of machismo
In Spanish-speaking countries, the culture of machismo is closely linked to hypersexuality and the pursuit of women. Male chauvinism is also often associated with sexual impotence, homosexuality, and adultery, while some even commit adultery to prove their sexual prowess. In Mexico, there are four different kinds of machismo, each describing a particular trait of male behavior.Masochismo is a multifaceted construct that has both positive and negative effects. In some societies, it grants women authority, while it is viewed as an important aspect of masculinity in general. For example, machismo can negatively impact a man's relationship with his children, or make him work more stressful. In some countries, machismo is a result of the traditional gender roles placed on men.Sources of machismo
Scholars often misplace the term machismo as a primitive Iberian or Latin American concept. In fact, it is a US-born neologism that first emerged in the 1940s and 1960s, derived from Latin American popular culture. In the United States, social scientists eagerly applied their modern methodologies to Latin American cultures and assumed the term's validity. In the process, they pathologized the macho-conscious Latin American culture.Although the origin of machismo is unclear, scholars have identified a number of sources of machismo. A popular source of machismo is Tennessee Williams's "Profile of Man and Culture in Mexico." It uses the word macho twice and defines it as referring to a "masculine animal." Paz's Labyrinth of Solitude was also repeatedly invoked as a primary source of knowledge about machismo. There were fourteen instances of the word "macho" in this text alone.Eradication of machismo
Machismo is a social construct that has been present since the Spanish and Portuguese Empires, and is often associated with male dominance over 'the other', which are typically women of every race, class, and economic status. Machismo also places gender roles in very sharp contrast, and deems effeminate men unworthy of protection and respect. Moreover, it also treats homosexual men as objects of ridicule and violence. Men who don't perform their gender roles in a conventional way are often labeled'marcon, queer, or 'fag.'Despite the fact that this social construct encourages male misbehaviour, it has to be addressed at an early age, and in schools, as much as possible. Argentina's President, Mauricio Macri, once admitted that women like catcalls and other forms of machismo. However, his new plan for eradicating machismo would also include introducing gender perspectives into the national curriculum, which encourages teachers to refer to both sexes and abjure sexual stereotypes. While classrooms are the first step, it will require much more if machismo is truly eradicated.