In the poem “Machismo is part of our culture” by Marcela Christine Lucero-Trujillo, argues that “machismo” is a form of privileged. “Machismo”- or sexism is embedded into the upbringing of Chicano men at an early age. Chicano boys enjoy the privileged of their gender since birth. As there are certain gender roles that women and men must follow. Boys are serve while young girls do the serving. “Machismo” is an excused to over powered women in society within our culture. Men are raised to be breadwinner of their family. In her poem, Lucero-Trujillo reminds her “macho” Chicano man that she is being treated like his employee other than his significant other. She also mentions how the “gabacha” woman can have her way with him but expects to have his Chicana woman like the servant, when she should be the queen of his world. Lucero-Trujillo compares herself to the white women to explain that the white woman can be “equal partners” with the Chicano men. The white women skin color and Chicano gender allow them to be equal partners. While the Chicana cannot be equal partner with the Chicano men because her gender is insignificant- as less than in society. Lucero-Trujillo also clarifies that the Chicano men is just a follower who has been obeying orders since childhood instead of having their own mind. Men grow up socially and culturally thinking that their manhood is define by their ability to be a good provider. While their wives or significant others are place in supportive roles.
I myself grew up in a house where “machismo” existed. My mom and I was supposed to listen and obey my dad’s orders. It was not easy to find a good man with an open mind about feminism. But I found someone who understood the important reason why it was important for our daughter to carry both of our last names. In our household we are not constrict by traditional gender roles and we are often criticized because we do not adhere to traditional gender roles. My fiancée and I love each other and raise our daughter with an open mind because there is no such thing as machismo being part of anyone’s culture.
To what extend do gender roles limit the opportunities for women and men?
Citation: Link
http://citeatthecrossroads.net/chst40/resources/readings/poems-by-marecla-christine-lucero-trujillo/
Hello,
I believe gender roles do limit the opportunities of men and women. The gender roles that are created through machismo are a perfect example of theses limits. Machismo limits women from being in roles where they are leaders. Machismo instills the idea that women need to follow not lead. This can lead to women not taking a certain opportunity involving leadership due to insecurity. Machismo also limits men from opportunities because they run the risk of being seen as “less of a man.” I don’t not agree with machismo but I understand that through gender roles it can limit the opportunities of men and women.
Hello there,
I loved your interpretation of this poem. It so powerful and I enjoyed reading how you interpreted the poem and made personal connections. Machismo (to me) is an old school mentality that was constructed in our countries. My parents are both from Guatemala, and they came to the U.S. with the ideology that women and men are equal. My parents have raised me, similar to the way you are raising your daughter, that there shouldn’t be a stigma for men or women. I really enjoyed reading your side of machismo, and that your partner and yourself are implementing on your daughter good values.
-Allison O
The gender roles limit the opportunities for women and men by constructing these borders and attributes to that solely define one or the other. Especially with the latino culture, “Machismo” is consistently intertwined with the social norms. “Machismo” feels like a disease that could be treated as the community becomes equipped with information and understanding of gender equality. Looking outside the Latino culture, the women’s suffrage movement began as women realized that their voice was being ignored and they had to make a stand for themselves. Women were allowed to higher education and realized that they had the equal ability to be as successful as their male counterpart. The spread of education was an empowerment for women and they could no longer be the submissive role and fought diligently for the equality rights. That could be seen as expanding their boundaries and we also see that during the Chicano movement with the females leadership consistently being tested. In the document, A Crushing Love, we hear the first-hand accounts of women activist and some experienced the lack of support from family and friends for stepping outside the gender roles stereotypes. This shows the limits on women, rules that women should be the receiver and domesticated, never questioning authority. Similar issues with men, men are taught and instilled to be the dominator and decision maker. Most are also taught that showing any emotion of sadness, it could be a sign of weakness, which causes frustration when going through life experiences. In my family, the men have crossed the gender roles, for example when my uncle lost his job during the recession my aunt became the bread-winner of the family. It was difficult for my uncle to loose that sense of the provider but he instantly accepted the role of taking care of the house-work and tending to their children. Seeing him transition into that position and actually excel at it, changed my perspective. It shifted my expectations on what men and women roles should be, compromise and balance is what makes a relationship strong. The communication and acknowledgement of each other’s contributions and needs are essential in breaking down the gender role “expectations”.