In the article “Masculinity Reconfigured: Shaking up Gender in Chicano/Latino Literature” by Pablo E. Martínez there is an analysis of the the novels “Pocho” by José Antonio Villarreal and “How the García Girls Lost their Accents” by Julia Álvarez. Martínez brings up the fact that these two novels have common leitmotifs, masculinity and machismo. Throughout his article, Martínez shows how these leitmotifs are deconstructed through nationalism, transnationalism, feminism and modernity. Martínez starts off by explaining that the father’s in both novels, Juan in “Pocho” and Carlos in “How the García Girls Lost their Accents”, grew up with a nationalistic ideology. They both came from countries where as men they held all the power in the family structure. This leads to them thinking that as men they can do whatever they want and can control everyone in their family. This is where the ideas of machismo and masculinity are found. Martínez then goes on to explain how transnationalism changes this. When the two families have to leave their countries and settle in the United States, the ideas of machismo and masculinity found in the Fathers are challenged. When they come to the United States, Juan and Carlos are not able to live like they did in their former countries. For example, Carlos who held a good job in his country ends up not being able to provide for his family in the United States. This leads to the breaking down of the nationalistic ideology of the Father’s. Martínez also explains that machismo and masculinity are challenged by feminism when the families are in the United States. The women in the novels are able to achieve more in the United States than in their past country. The women are more free to accomplish more and this challenges masculinity. In their past countries, women could not accomplish anything major only the men could. Through feminism in the United States, the women of these families are able to challenge masculinity and machismo. According to Martínez, the final way that ideas of machismo and masculinity are deconstructed is through modernity. When the Fathers come to the United States they have trouble keeping up with the times. They try to impose their ideas from their home countries in the United States but it does not work. Through modernity their ideas of machismo and masculinity are destroyed. Martínez explains in his article that masculinity and machismo can be erased through transnationalism, feminism and modernity.
My question is:
Do you think when men from countries that promote ideas like machismo and masculinity come to the United States they are stripped of these ideas through the society in the United States? Or are they still able to live their lives with these ideas?
Hi Lenin,
Great analysis and approach on the Martinez article. You did a great job describing the purpose of the article of the machismo and masculinity ideas of male ideologies in the United States. On the contrast, I believe that men from different courtiers promote the ideas of machismo and masculinity in the U.S. When men come to the U.S their machismo and masculinity ideologies still come with them and are implement in their own families or cultures. They promote the idea that machismo and masculinity by acting that they are superior to the women in society. Men continue to believe in the ideas of machismo and masculinity because it continues to be present among us especially in the Chicana culture. Men still in live in power of the ideas of machismo and masculinity they continue to have the ideas that they are better than women although sometimes they are confronted with ideas of feminism.
Good morning Lenin,
Great points you make about the article. I would say that males who embrace machismo and hyper-masculinity, who migrate from other countries into the United States, definitely feel frustrated, maybe if a “cultural shock.” For one, in the United States, there are more spaces where these ideals can be challenged. We embrace more democratic principles, where women and males should be equal to each other. However, in other countries these ideals rooted in patriarchy are widely accepted, it is still so normal for males to treat women as second class citizens. I would argue that males who come to the United States with embedded machismo and hyper masculinity do not change over night. Across time and space culture changes, however, for some, that is hard. Some people’s belief systems are very strong and they hold onto them no matter what geographic border they come across. When patriarchy is challenged, males who practice these ideals are forced to get out of their comfort zone, which may bring frustration, especially if they are the one dominating/benefiting in the relationship.
I don’t necessarily believe that men who migrate to the States from other countries are stripped away from their ideas of machismo and masculinity due to the fact that these ideas also occur in the States. The States has a lot of gender equality issues as well not just other countries, for example the gender wage gap is a huge issue here. I wouldn’t say that the idea of masculinity stems just in one country, i definitely see it here from people who are born here. For example you bring up how the fathers were the one who took control over their families, it happens here as well when the fathers are the one’s who tell their wives what they can and cant do as well as their daughters and we see gender roles where the wive is supposed to be this trophy wife and stay at home cooking and cleaning.
Hi Lenin,
great connection of the two texts. you make a great point!
to answer your question, I agree with Francis.
I do believe that men from other countries, such as Mexico, do have a hard time adjusting to the United States life style and it is harder from them to provide for their families. In Mexico the cost of living is cheaper, you can say, but as men they do have that implemented in them to provide. Many men still live with Machismo , because men tend to be prideful.
Men that migrate to the United States from other countries still embed machismo and masculinity. If anything I believe that they act more machismo and masculinity because that is the only place in which they gain authority. They make their women feel more less of a person in a society that is highly patriarchal. However, these men know that they can not act this why with white women because they become more privileged in the US. However, there are a few men that do not act as machista, an actually do give women respect because they realize that there is a difference in the US than in their native country.
Hi Lenin!
Thank you so much for your critical reflection. It made me think a lot about the different ways patriarchy can be practiced in different cultures. No culture or community refers to patriarchy in a similar manner but it is definitely embedded within the population. Migrating to the United States does not mean a man will leave his masculine ideologies behind; if anything, I think that he would probably display them more since they think this type of behavior is natural for their culture (specifically Latinas/os). They would probably experience a difficult time letting them go because, to them, it makes them feel as though they are in tune with their homeland’s culture and traditions.