Machoism vs. Machismo

Machismo

Machismo (; Spanish: [maˈtʃizmo]; Portuguese: [maˈʃizmu] (from Spanish and Portuguese “macho”, male) is the sense of being ‘manly’ and self-reliant, the concept associated with “a strong sense of masculine pride: an exaggerated masculinity.” It is associated with “a man’s responsibility to provide for, protect, and defend his family.”The word macho has a long history in both Spain and Portugal as well as in Spanish and Portuguese languages. It was originally associated with the ideal societal role men were expected to play in their communities, most particularly, Iberian language-speaking societies and countries. Macho in Portuguese and Spanish is a strictly masculine term, derived from the Latin mascŭlus meaning male (today hombre or varón, c.f. Portuguese homem and now-obsolete for humans varão; macho and varão, in their most common sense, are used for males of non-human animal species). Machos in Iberian-descended cultures are expected to possess and display bravery, courage and strength as well as wisdom and leadership, and ser macho (literally, “to be a macho”) was an aspiration for all boys.

During the women’s liberation movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the term began to be used by Latin American feminists to describe male aggression, violence and toxic masculinity. The term was used by Latina feminists and scholars to criticize the patriarchal structure of gendered relations in Latino communities. Their goal was to describe a particular Latin American brand of patriarchy.

Machismo (noun)

strong or aggressive masculine pride

“the exaggerated machismo displayed in the tango”