Machismo is a set of attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that promote the superiority of men over women. Throughout history, machismo has deeply permeated society, manifesting itself in various forms. It is important to recognize and analyze these different manifestations of machismo in order to combat them and promote gender equality.
Types of Machismo
1. Traditional Machismo
Traditional machismo is characterized by perpetuating rigid gender roles in which men are expected to be the providers and leaders in the family, while women must take care of the home and children. This type of machismo promotes the idea that men are superior to women and should have power and authority in all family decisions.
2. Hostile Machismo
Hostile machismo is manifested through aggressive attitudes and behaviors towards women. This type of machismo includes physical, verbal and emotional violence against women, as well as sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the workplace and in society. Hostile machismo reflects a deep misogyny and lack of respect towards women.
3. Benevolent Machismo
Unlike hostile machismo, benevolent machismo is presented as a more subtle form of gender discrimination. In this case, men show apparently positive attitudes towards women, such as protection or chivalry, but in reality they reinforce gender stereotypes that limit women's autonomy and freedom. Benevolent machismo is based on the idea that women are fragile or need the help and protection of men.
4. Cultural Machismo
Cultural machismo refers to the norms, values and beliefs rooted in a certain culture that promote male superiority and female subordination. These sexist ideas are transmitted from generation to generation and are reflected in various social practices, such as the traditional division of roles, the legitimization of gender violence or the justification of male infidelity.
5. Invisible Machismo
Invisible machismo is characterized by the reproduction of sexist attitudes unconsciously and without manifest intention to discriminate against women. This type of machismo manifests itself through microaggressions, sexist jokes, condescending comments or actions that reinforce gender stereotypes without the person being aware of it. It is important to make this type of machismo visible and question it to eradicate it.
6. Institutional Machismo
Institutional machismo refers to the presence of practices, norms and policies within social institutions (such as government, education or justice) that perpetuate gender inequality and favor gender discrimination. women. This type of machismo is manifested in the lack of representation of women in positions of power, gender pay gaps or the lack of work-family conciliation policies.
7. Internalized Machismo
Internalized machismo occurs when women themselves adopt and perpetuate sexist attitudes and beliefs against them. This manifests itself in the self-imposition of submissive roles, the acceptance of gender violence as something normal or competition and envy between women as a result of sexist socialization. It is important to work on deconstructing these internalized schemes to empower women.
8. Heteronormative Machismo
Heteronormative machismo is based on the idea that masculinity and heterosexuality are the social norm and anything that deviates from this norm is considered deviant or inferior. This type of machismo discriminates against people who do not conform to traditional gender roles or who have non-heterosexual sexual orientations, promoting homophobia and transphobia as tools of social control.
9. Postmodern Machismo
Postmodern machismo is characterized by the incorporation of feminist discourses in a neoliberal framework that promotes gender equality only in individual and not structural terms. In this sense, it focuses on the autonomy and empowerment of women without questioning the bases of the patriarchal system that perpetuates inequality. This type of machismo is presented as a way of co-opting the feminist struggle to maintain the status quo.
It is important to keep in mind that machismo is not a homogeneous phenomenon and manifests itself in various ways in society. Recognizing and making these different forms of machismo visible is essential to combat gender discrimination and promote equality between men and women.