Masculinity as a Risk Factor, in 'Violencia de Género y Estrategias de Cambio'

This article, part of a book on gender violence and strategies for change, examines the root causes of male violence towards women. It argues that, in order to better understand this phenomenon it is important to have a sense of the masculine assumptions and mechanisms that lead to some men feeling that their masculinity has been undermined, thus they resort to violence to reaffirm their personal and social power. Additionally, the article draws attention to the disproportionate levels of mortality among adult males of productive age, which is eleven times greater than that of adult women. It notes that the reasons for these deaths include political causes, drug trafficking, conflicts between family member and friends, the lack of self-care, and accidents associated with negligent driving, firearms, work equipment, competitive behaviour, alcoholism and drug addiction. Social expectations about male behaviour underlie many of these causes, more so when this identity is in crisis due to cultural, social and economic changes. With this crisis a neo-machismo is emerging, where the man negotiates decisions more but maintains a “machista” framework of reference, for example “allowing” his wife to work outside the home, but only for a lower salary than his. The paper recommends that groups should be established where men can discuss the limitations and possibilities of male identity and promote more equal and pleasurable relations; and that school curricula should aim to counteract sexist education and treatment as well as ensure boys learn to value equal relations.