Sexism happens all over the world, but in Latin American countries, there has been a culture of “machismo” that has seriously hindered women in ways that differ from sexism in America and other countries. Machismo is the idea that men have overbearing control and dominance over their wives and children. His role as the head of the house demands that all in the family submit to his will, a behavior that unfortunately manifests often as domestic violence. Although there are admirable traits of machismo such as bravery and honor, it’s the aggressiveness, violence, and dominance that is harmful. This mindset has led to the abuse and death of women, and nowhere is this more apparent than in Mexico.
Over the years, all the domestic abuse has accumulated into a concept known as "femicide," where homicide occurs solely because the victim is a woman. In the last few years, violence against women in Mexico has skyrocketed making it one of the most dangerous countries in the world for women. 70% of women in Mexico have experienced violence in their lifetime, and 40% say that that abuse came from their husbands. During the 2023 International Women’s Day March in Mexico City, tens of thousands of women protested that the government needed a change in policy and cultural awareness [1].
Men and boys in machismo culture are taught not to express their emotions or show vulnerability. These emotions boil over and lead to violence or mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Men lack the mental health resources they need within machismo culture. As a result, men commit suicide in higher rates than women [2]. The culture of machismo must stop in Mexico for the good not just women, but men too.
However, there is hope of change happening in Mexico through its politics and government. Since the 2021 Mexican midterm elections, women make up about half of the total members of its lower house of Congress, and women have made historical gains within state governorships and legislatures [3].
In June 2024, Mexico is set to have a historic and consequential election that will put the country on a more progressive path for women. Similar to presidential elections in the United States, where the next president is either the Republican Party nominee or the Democratic Party nominee, Mexicans have chosen their two candidates who will represent their respective coalitions and face off to become the next president. Claudia Sheinbaum, former mayor of Mexico City and the progressive MORENA party’s candidate, will face off against Xóchitl Gálvez, a senator and representative of the more conservative PAN party [4]. Since the two candidates are women, Mexico is almost guaranteed to elect its first female president in 2024. Given the country’s long history of machismo and violence against women, regardless of the winner, this election will be a turning point for women in the country.
In a country like Mexico, does voting a woman to power truly imply change? People should not vote primarily on the basis of their gender. The candidate's policies and attitudes are far more important. This begs the question of whether elected women achieve gains only on the basis of how well they demographically represent women or on the basis of more substantive actions and policies. Evidence suggests that electing women in a country’s highest office does slightly change gender norms with an increased female representation in legislatures and other areas [5]. For example, in countries in Latin America where machismo has been a problem but a female president has been elected, such as Brazil and Argentina, girls have fared better in education, despite the gender gap in the job market remaining large [6]. Although it may take years to determine the consequences of the Mexican 2024 election on Machismo culture, change will occur if Mexico follows the lead of other Latino countries.
Once Claudia Sheinbaum or Xóchitl Gálvez is sworn in as president, their leadership can set a tone for Mexico. The future president can set an agenda that sets harsher legal punishment for those who cause violence against women and policies that provide resources for women [7]. The image and leadership of the next president can also culturally elevate women in Mexico. Seeing Sheinbaum or Gálvez interact with the President of the United States and other world leaders can break barriers by proving the machista ideology wrong, and young girls have someone they can look up to and know that they have no limit to what they can become.
Inaugurating the first female president will obviously not solve all the problems of Mexico’s machismo culture. However, it is a step in the right direction. For those who are part of the Latino community, many of us have seen machismo in our own families and communities. Standing up to machismo does not mean that men should not be able to express their masculinity. Men should double down on the positive aspects of machismo, such as courage and honor. Guys should keep pumping iron at the gym, posing with the cars, and hanging out with the boys. However, it is the responsibility of everyone to call out the negative behavior and strive for a future without violence where both men and women can live their lives safely and freely.
