First Draft Research Paper #2

ENG 101.0800

Gladys Otavalo

Miss. Bogacka

November 29, 2010

For centuries, the diversity of masculinities has created a big difference between genres where man reflected power and woman a lot of obedience. Today, many people think that there is no longer a macho masculinity in society because women and men have the same right to achieve their purposes. However, others think that the role of the male is always and will be the authority in the family. For instance, in the article Chicano Men and Masculinity by Zinn refers the case of Chicano man, his machista behavior has not changed at all; unlike he remains being aggressive, dominant and machismo. Unfortunately, the behavior of Chicano man's aggressive behavior is incorrect and inappropriate because it is affecting the development and growth of children and young man, the Chicano man's personality  is developing an inadequate social entity in children and young men and finally  his authoritarian behavior has marginalized  him from participating in society.

 The first reason is that male behavior is creating obstacles in the development and growth of children. The aggressive and dominant authority exercised by the Chicano men is impeding their children develop their own thoughts, feelings and opinions toward different situations of life. In fact, in the article Chicano Men and Masculinity by Zinn reflects the negative consequence caused by a macho attitude. "The Society scientists maintain that this rigid male-dominated family structure has negative personality Consequences for the Development of Mexican American Children. It fails to engender achievement, Independence, self-reliance or self-worth-values Which Are Highly esteem in American society”(24). In addition, there is an interesting book called Against Machismo: Young Adults Voices in Mexico City where reflects a considerable evidence that the healthy human personality develops from the infancy to a mature organism in adulthood. "The man's power, or machismo, in Mexico is a farce. It exists, yes, the act of saying, I am the, macho because I say how things are done, and when I get home I can hit you, to his wife and children" Ramirez (76). Thus, improper behavior Chicano man is developing an inadequate personality in their own children and young man, creating an aggressive and inappropriate behavior toward society.

Second, the exaggerated masculine behavior of the Chicano is developing an inadequate social entity in children and young men.  El Chicano has a thought wrong about children development in society, which makes him act in an authoritarian, aggressive and domineering way towards his children and young man. Although all Chicano children and young have equal rights, skills, abilities and goals in life, sadly the chicano boys and young men must have a powerful, aggressive and dominant personality toward society. According the Zinn' article says: "The father is the unquestioned patriarch- the family provider, protector and judge.  His word is law and demands strict obedience." (24) This strict obedience and respect not only from the wife, but from the children too. Therefore, one of the definitions of machismo is an exhilarating sense of power or strength which is pushing children and young men to develop this exhilarating sense of power, strength and an aggressiveness behavior in society.

 Finally, the authoritarian behavior of Chicano men is obligating children and young men to be excluded and marginalized from participating in society. In recent years, the Chicano has been marginalized and excluded from society for his inadequate (machista) behavior. Today, the Chicano just demands respect and obedience for himself. Consequently, he cannot develop or perform specific activities in important areas because his personality pushed him to be ignored and marginalized by society. According the Zinn' article says: "In the eagerness to dispute machismo the negative characteristics associated with the trait, critics have tended to neglect the phenomenon of male dominance at societal, institutional and interpersonal levels." Zinn(26). Accordingly, the book Healing from Violence: Latino Men's Journey to a New Masculinity by Welland contains important evidence about how the machista behavior affects the children lives. "Microsystems or societal level of violence is to be found in the forms of social organization, belief systems, and lifestyles that make up a culture or subculture. At this level are found attitudes toward the use of force in conflict resolution, the concept of roles, rights, and responsibilities in the family, beliefs regarding power and obedience, and cultural beliefs and values about men.”(24). Therefore, Chicano men must take responsibility for themselves, develop a deeper estimation of themselves and respect for others, and learn coping skills that will lead to greater resilience and effectiveness at work, without the use of violence. In this way, the Chicano children and young men develop an adequate personality in society.

In conclusion, the aggressive, domineering and authoritarian behavior of the Chicano men is affecting his children lives and young men for developing and working in a crucial way. Consequently, his incorrect behavior will conduct to negative consequences in the society.

                                            Works Cited

Ramirez, Josue. Against Machismo: Young Adult Voices in Mexico. New York, NY, USA: Berghahn Books, 2008. Print.

Welland, Christauria and Ribner, Neil. Healing from Violenc : Latino Men's Journey to a New  Masculinity. New York, NY, USA: Springer Publishing Company, 2007. Print.

Zinn, Maxine Baca. “Chicano Men and Masculinity.” Men’s Lives. 5^th ed. Michael S. Kimmel and Michael A. Messner eds. New York: Allyn & Bacon, 2001. 24-32. Print.