Micromachismos are forms of gender violence that manifest themselves subtly in everyday interactions, perpetuating structures of inequality and discrimination. Although they are seemingly small behaviors, their accumulation can have a significant impact on the lives of those affected. In this article, we will focus on the 4 main types of micromachismos, highlighting their nature, impact and ways to address them from a psychological perspective.
1. Invisibilization micromachismo
Invisibilization micromachismo is characterized by minimizing or ignoring people's opinions, ideas and contributions based on their gender. This type of micromachismo can manifest itself in everyday situations, such as interrupting a woman in a conversation or attributing a woman's success to external factors instead of recognizing her merit. This form of symbolic violence reinforces gender stereotypes and perpetuates the idea of women's inferiority in various areas.
Psychological impact:
Constant invisibility can undermine self-esteem and confidence of the affected people, generating a feeling of disability and devaluation. On a psychological level, this type of micromachismo can contribute to the development of low self-esteem, anxiety and depression in people who experience it recurrently.
2. Infantilizing micromachismo
Infantilizing micromachismo consists of treating women as if they were children, underestimating their ability to make decisions and assume adult responsibilities. This type of behavior is manifested through actions such as using diminutives when speaking to an adult woman, assuming that she needs constant help or protection, or attributing her actions to emotionality instead of rationality. The infantilization of women contributes to maintaining an unequal power dynamic in which their autonomy and agency are relegated.
Psychological impact:
Infantilization can generate feelings of frustration, helplessness and rage in the affected people, feeling that they are not taken seriously and that their decision-making capacity and autonomy are denied. On a psychological level, this type of micromachismo can fuel the perception of themselves as dependent beings in need of protection, making it difficult to develop an adult and empowered identity.
3. Objectification micromachism
Objectification micromachism is based on reducing women to mere sexual objects, emphasizing their physical appearance over their qualities and capabilities as people. This type of micromachismo is manifested through sexualized comments, invasive glances, gestures of body evaluation and jokes with sexual content that reduce women to an object of desire. Objectification contributes to objectifying women, limiting their identity to their physical appearance and perpetuating rape culture and sexual harassment.
Psychological impact:
Objectification can generate feelings of discomfort, vulnerability and devaluation in people who are the object of this type of micromachismo. On a psychological level, objectification can fuel the perception of themselves as mere objects of desire, affecting the self-image, self-esteem and mental health of the affected people, who may experience anxiety, stress and eating disorders as a consequence of this violence. symbolic.
4. Micromachismo of control
Micromachismo of control is based on exercising dominance over women's decisions and actions, limiting their freedom and autonomy. This type of micromachismo is manifested through behaviors such as constant surveillance, the imposition of non-consensual rules, constant criticism of their decisions or the delegitimization of their opinions. Exacerbated control limits women's ability to develop their identity and make decisions autonomously, perpetuating unequal power relations and contributing to gender violence.
Psychological impact:
Constant control can generate feelings of anxiety, fear and submission in affected people, as they feel that their autonomy and freedom are constantly questioned and restricted. On a psychological level, this type of micromachismo can cause an impact on the mental health of the affected people, contributing to the development of anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress.
In conclusion, micromachismos are forms of violence gender that operate at the individual and social level, perpetuating dynamics of inequality and discrimination. It is essential to make visible and combat these behaviors from a psychological perspective, promoting relationships based on respect, equity and the autonomy of people. The recognition of micromachismos as forms of symbolic violence is a first step towards the construction of a more just and egalitarian society, in which all people can develop fully without fear or oppression.