Re: Machismo and Hembrismo

Ken Chaddock wrote:
Grizzlie Antagonist wrote:

Michael Snyder wrote:

Hey, did you guys know this word? Whenever fem-wits throw around
disparaging comments about 'macho' and 'machismo', we're left groping
for a way to express its mirror equivalent (usually settling for the
awkward-sounding 'femcho').

Hembrismo

Hembrismo is the counterpart to machismo. It describes the role of the
female in Latin cultures-specifically in the face of machismo. There is an
interplay at work that accentuates these two concepts.

Moral Superiority

Hembrismo describes the moral and spiritual superiority of the woman over
the man. Mayers states, "If the male is motivated by conquest, the female is
motivated by honor and reputation. Her place in Latin society is defined as
upholding such honor and reputation" (1976:42). She is supposed to be
submissive and very patient with her husband. She is known for the kind
intercession that she makes between her son and the cruel father (Jensen
1983:5) When the husband engages in extra marital affairs, this moral
superiority is demonstrated when the wife looks past the moral failure of
her husband. [3]

The Suffering Mother and Mariology

The significant place the mother holds in Latin culture can not be
overstated. Mayers says, "The woman is in focus in every aspect of the
society. Hers is a covert, low-keyed focus around which the entire society
revolves" (1976:88). She is the long-suffering one with unique spiritual
qualities. She is the one that brings stability to upheaval in much of Latin
American society (Mayers 1976:90). It is through the woman that stability
is In fact, her place in the Latin world view has strong religious
overtones. The widespread devotion to Mary throughout Latin America is
closely linked with the role of the woman and mother throughout Latin
America.

Latins tend to portray Christ as dead and dying, yet Mary is radiant and
beautiful. God is viewed as very distant (just like Latin fathers), but
Mary is close, caring, and always ready to intercede for God's children
(just like the Latin mothers).



Somehow "hembrismo" just doesn't cut it as a word that can be readily
thrown back into someone's face.

This doesn't seem to be an exclusively Latin concept, either. The
competent and morally superior woman putting up with the bumbling and
insensitive man has been a staple of Western culture for some time.

I would say that the concept of the competent and morally superior
woman has been around for a very long time however the concept that this
competent and morally superior woman has to put up with a bumbling and
insensitive man is relatively recent and stems from what passes for
second wave feminist "thought"...which was intended to (and has proven
very effective at) demonizing men to allow the advancement of the
feminist political agenda without effective resistance.

...Ken



Actually, I would say that it's mostly a product of Madison Avenue.
It's dramatized most frequently in TV shows and advertisements. But
it's aimed at a female audience and is a deference to the feminist
political agenda.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Machismo and Hembrismo
    ... Hembrismo is the counterpart to machismo. ... female in Latin cultures-specifically in the face of machismo. ... The Suffering Mother and Mariology ...
    (soc.men)
  • Machismo and Hembrismo
    ... Hembrismo is the counterpart to machismo. ... female in Latin cultures-specifically in the face of machismo. ... Her place in Latin society is defined as ... The Suffering Mother and Mariology ...
    (soc.men)
  • Re: Machismo and Hembrismo
    ... Hembrismo is the counterpart to machismo. ... female in Latin cultures-specifically in the face of machismo. ... Hembrismo describes the moral and spiritual superiority of the woman over ... The Suffering Mother and Mariology ...
    (soc.men)