A Study On Sexism In Mexico
The Machismo, how is it called in Mexico and latinamercia “is a set of beliefs claiming that real or alleged differences between women and men establishing the superiority of one sex over the other. Also known as discrimination or devaluation based on a person’s sex, as in restricted job opportunities; especially, such discrimination directed against women”
Mexican society in general has been classified in the past as a male-dominated society in which women did not have the same rights as men to be categorized by their sex. In the year of 1953 was the first time in Mexico that women could exercise their vote in the elections, only a few years ago in our country, women did not work and just took care of the housework, was battered and bruised, in most cases the authority ignore the abuses of force by the male.
57 years ago women voted for the first time in elections and in this short spam of time we have seen dramatic changes in the thinking of society, although there are still so many people that have the same ideology that years ago.
“According to the First National Survey on Discrimination say that one in five Mexicans believe that it is natural to prohibit more things to women than to men, one in three believe that it is normal that men earn more than women, and almost one in ten Mexicans agree that women are raped because they provoke men. In addition, one in five women believes that women themselves are responsible for discrimination against them”
As we can see in these Survey, even if the ideology or mentality has changed over the decades we can notice that there are still a huge percentage of the population that still discriminate women
It seems that in 2012, gender equality in society is already a thing of the past. Although macho culture is still dominating society as we can see in the survey, it is hard to believe these results, when it is said that in Mexico is making progress on issues of discrimination and gender inequality. When looking at the results of this poll. I think Machismo/Sexism in Mexico would be very difficult to remove if we don’t change the way of thinking directly from our homes to treat in the same way boys and girls, so we finish the custom that has been inculcated from generation to generation and has been the first reason that made Mexico a Sexism Society.
It is very disappointing to find these results and know that many men feel that women are inferior and deserve different treatment.
because as can be seen the man is still seen as the work figure, while the woman is still seen as the one that have to care and raise children and do all the housework.
The aim of this work is to find a better way to live along between men and women which lies not only in respect but also in equality, although the society has evolved there are still traces of discrimination against women.
This paper will release how Sexism against women affects the society, touching the theme of gender roles as well as the consequences of this.
The Sexism/Machismo traditionally has been associated with subordination of family roles and favor and welfare to men, therefore it is deemed to assign less tiring work for men, because they are the breadwinners of the house.
A part of Sexism is the use of some type of systematic violence against women in order to maintain an emotional or psychological control on them, further it punished any feminine behavior (some examples as: Men don’t cry, men cannot express their feelings, etc) in a men and from these mentality is the base of Homophobia, the worst punishment a sexist could receive is to have a gay familiar, because it demonstrate that their blood and family name is weak and from these idea the discrimination against homosexuals is huge.
Sexism has been an element of social control and sexist exploitation in many cultures. Some factors that have contributed to its survival and continuity
-Discriminatory laws against women.
-Treatment difference in the case of adultery:
-In some cultures adultery and pregnancy before marriage is punished with death.
-Permission from male for economic activities
-Denial of right to vote or other civil
-Sexist education in school and home
Religious discrimination in different religions all over the world as example of some are in Muslim countries predominated as the old Taliban regime of Afghanistan, in certain branches of Christianity as Mormonism, in the orthodox Jews, Hinduism, etc.
Sexist division of labor, whereby men prefer other men in decision making jobs position (originally the sexist division was based on the difference in physical capacity and muscular), in which men had comparative advantage. However in modern technological societies force is irrelevant, being more important intellectual abilities and social skills. It also refers to a payment of lower wages to women than men in exchange of the same work.
Now at days rarely we heard stories of men who do not allow their wives or daughters to study or work. Almost 40% of women of working age are in employment, the number of students enrolled in colleges and universities is divided equally between the sexes, Women are increasingly aware of their rights and demand equal treatment in the workplace and in politics.
Under these conditions, Machismo has mutated. Today is based more on control and psychological coercion or discrimination in physical restraints. In a sense, machismo has gone underground. Deeply buried in our daily habits, is almost invisible in the educated or high classes, invisible but always present.
It is possible that in many areas women are consider as equal to men. In Mexico, women do not own their time. When they go out, spend money, see their friends, they are still expected to tell with detail their schedule of their daily activities to their Parents, brothers, boyfriends and husbands, but men do not accept to be asked. At home, men can say “Do not bother me, I’m watching TV,” but women do not, because they are supposed to be available night and day for her husband and children.
These double standards are now a pillar of machismo. Surveys show that men are willing to go to the supermarket or children take over for a while, but refuse to iron, sew, cut vegetables or clean the oven or bathroom, because these tasks are considered unmanly. The men help, but within rigidly defined parameters.
This division of labor in all areas of life means that both men and women are still surprisingly inept for the tasks assigned to the opposite sex. We can see educated and successful men who don’t know how to make a cup of coffee and professional women who have no idea about how to change a fuse. So machismo creates people with only half of the
Conclusion to end of Sexism/Machismo.
Share the work that has traditionally been considered “women’s work”.
Challenge the notion to both men and women that boys are by nature aggressive and violent. Stand firm that it is only hard conditioning that makes anyone act this way. Stand firm that boys are just like girls, and girls as boys
Encourage men to feel and express all our feelings. Men’s largest conditioning comes from being forced to act like we have no feelings (like “Big boys don’t cry”, “You’re acting like a girl “). This conditioning is what eventually makes men take on all of the inhuman roles we are expected to play in society.
Support women’s leadership.
Model non-sexist behavior everywhere. Tell and show men and women that eliminating sexism is a primary focus in your life. The presence of sexism in society is hurtful to everyone, not just women. It’s elimination will enhance every human being’s life.
Educate the new generations with the idea that boys and girls are equal with the same rights and responsibilities, and are able or capable to do anything.
