Male Migration Machismo, and Conjugal Roles: Implications for Fertility Control in a Mexican Municipio

Abstract

Migration of married men to the United States provides the primary source of support for an increasing number of Mexican rural families. Extensive research in a rural Mexican mestizo municipio provides firm evidence that migratory married men continue to fulfill traditional familial obligations associated with their gender and even provide for household comforts leading to a rise in social status. Conjugal families are maintained but women’s dependence is increased, while men continue to realize the ideals of machismo and associated dominance. The issue of fertility control is analyzed in this context to illustrate how migration, as an acceptable economic strategy, is used to resolve a paradox, turning fertility control from a negative attribute for males into a positive one.

The myth of sameness among Latino men and their machismo.

“…For more than 35 years, scholars from a variety of disciplines, including cultural anthropology, sociology, and psychology, have examined machismo as an extension of masculine gender roles specific to Latino cultures (Baca-Zinn, 1982; Casas, Wagenheim, Banchero, & Mendoza-Romero, 1994; De La Cancela, 1981, 1986; Díaz-Guerrero, 1967; Ingolsby, 1985; Lara-Cantú, 1989; Mayo, 1994; Mirandé, 1988, 1997; Panitz, McConchie, Sauber, & Fonseca, 1983; Paz, 1961; R. L. Ramírez, 1993; J. S. Ruiz, 1975; Stevens, 1973; Torres, 1998; Weist, 1983). Many early efforts resulted in divergent perspectives and interpretations of machismo (i.e., the cult of manliness), leading to inconsistent, contradictory, superficial generalizations and negative stereotypical characteristics as ambiguous and misunderstood as any other aspect of the Latino culture (De La Cancela, 1981, 1986, 1991; Mirandé, 1997; Torres, 1998).…”

“…L. Ramírez, 1993;J. S. Ruiz, 1975;Stevens, 1973;Torres, 1998;Weist, 1983). Many early efforts resulted in divergent perspectives and interpretations of machismo (i.e., the cult of manliness), leading to inconsistent, contradictory, superficial generalizations and negative stereotypical characteristics as ambiguous and misunderstood as any other aspect of the Latino culture (De La Cancela, 1981, 1991Mirandé, 1997;Torres, 1998).…”

Machismo in two cultures: Relation to punitive child-rearing practices.

“…In fact, it has been argued that women benefit directly from the machista ideology and have a vested interest in perpetuating the ideal of male superiority and dominance (Christiansen, 1979; Stevens, 1973; Wiest, 1983). This view holds that, by assuming a subservient role, the female encourages the male to protect and support his wife and family.…”

Reconsidering the HIV/AIDS Prevention Needs of Latino Women in the United States

“…One aspect of Hispanic culture that may limit the degree to which women can implement safer sex strategies involves the degree to which they and their partners subscribe to traditional gender roles of machismo and marianismo. These idealized gender roles are complementary and opposite, with men being considered strong, rational, virile, and independent while women are thought of as submissive, sentimental, chaste, and dependent (e.g., Comas-Diaz, 1987;Gilmore and Uhl, 1987;Goldwert, 1985;Magana and Magana, 1992;Marin, 1988;Panitz et al, 1983;Thompson, 1991;Wiest, 1983). The concept of machismo is an important and often misunderstood aspect of Hispanic gender role expectations, with traditional machis~no incorporating responsibilities as well as rights.…”