Gender Roles

Machismo and marianismo are central notions that tend to dictate interpersonal relationships, especially between the sexes. Machismo denotes masculinity as evidenced in physical prowess, aggression, attractiveness to women, and consumption of large quantities of alcohol, thereby commanding respect from others. This respect has many important dimensions in Hispanic culture. The term respeto refers to respect accorded persons in the culture based on age, social position, sex, and status. A person who shows appropriate respeto is seen as someone who has been well educated or well reared.

Marianismo, or traditional Hispanic womanhood, is based on the Catholic worship of the Virgin Mary. It connotes obedience, timidity, sexual abstinence until marriage, emotionality, and gentleness. According to Comas D