The Meanings of Macho: Being a Man in Mexico City

by Matthew C. Gutmann

In this compelling and readable study of machismo in one of Latin America's most populous cities, Matthew Gutmann overturns many stereotypes of male culture in Mexico. In their place he offers a sensitive, wide-ranging, often surprising look at how Mexican men see themselves, parent their children, relate to women, socialize among themselves, and talk about sex in their daily lives. Gutmann finds that men and women are responding to sweeping social forces in Mexico, just as they are in the United States, with women often initiating changes in male attitudes and behaviors.

The Meanings of Macho takes the reader into Santo Domingo, Mexico City, the working-class neighborhood where Gutmann and his family lived. Exploring women's conceptions about men as well as men's ideas about themselves, Gutmann uncovers intriguing, complicated sexual politics among friends and informants. He discovers that, against stereotype, many men's nuanced, complicated sense of sexual identity encompasses considerable child care responsibilities and recognition of a newfound female autonomy. He also considers the kinds of homosocial space men are afforded in their culture, how violence against women plays itself out in this community, and the role of alcohol in male socializing.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Sociology, Ethnography, School, Gender

318 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 1996

Reviews

[May]

Not terrible, and some interesting information, but I personally prefer ethnographies to be a little more rich with personal accounts and stories. Reading this felt like the author was a bit detached.

[John]

Hated it, but had to read for schoolwork.

[Graham Cifelli]

Slow start, wish there was more personal accounts to balance out all the theory. Still very good, still important to read

[Abby Holder]

3 stars cause I can appreciate the work that went into this, but shocking men are still shit in Mexico! Was interesting to see the contradictory opinions and sayings of Mexican men tho

[Eduardo Lira]

Literalmente yo y los reales.

Parece que la nobleza la llevamos en la sangre, aún queda mucho por hacer

[Nora Eckert]

So good