Examples Of Machismo In Unknown American

Fabrice Previl 11/10/2017

Despite all the societal changes that took place in the recent years concerning women’s rights, there is still some habits that goes against this progress in the Latino American culture. The idea of machismo is still a rampant problem that exist still to this day. Machismo can be defined as a strong sense of masculine pride. This form of alpha male mentality conveys a sense of gender bias that is transmitted generation to generation and that has a direct impact on the family relationships. Through the character of Rafael Toro in the book of Unknown Americans, Christina Henriquez showcases this macho attitude

This stubbornness attitude to be the one who works is absurd especially considering that his wife had studied to become a secretary and could have had made more money than he did working in a restaurant. The macho in himself is reluctant to engage in frank discussion of any important problem, because if he risks expressing an opinion, he must literally be ready to fight for it (Stevens 58). This attitude creates a void in his relation with his wife with whom he is afraid to communicate his deepest feeling. In addition, we can see his sexist attitude toward his wife when he unintentionally describes her as his possession. In his research on gender roles, one of the Jered Pigeon’s respondents describes his wife as such: “When I got with my wife I thought of her like the animals that I have owned.” (Pigeon). This example is quite harsh but is similar to what Rafael’s macho attitude toward his wife makes him unconsciously do. In defining sexism in Latino America, Katy Watson uses this anecdote from a Portuguese teacher to explain the difference between sexism and machismo: “Sexism is bad… but machismo

Although the world has managed to bring significant changes toward women’s empowerment, there is still more to do. It’s important to see that Rafael’s actions and attitude do not come from his own intentional choices, rather he acts this way due to the generational transmission of this ideal from father. To stop this cycle, change must come from the root which means men need to be better educated about the negative impact of machoism. They ought to understand the role of the women, the freedom a child needs and the consequence of machismo. Henriquez’s goal with her book is to portray the reality of these unknown Americans. The changes that need to happen must come from the readers that see how gender bias, manifested through the lenses of machismo affect the life of Rafael Torro and those around