Machismo and Marital Satisfaction in Mexican American Couples

Abstract

Traditional machismo in Mexican American culture has been considered detrimental to marital satisfaction (MS). Contrary to this notion, contemporary views of machismo suggest that masculinity in Mexican American couples is contextual and fluid along a continuum of positive and negative dimensions. In this study, the dyadic effects of positive and negative machismo on MS in Mexican American couples were explored using actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) analyses. A sample of 112 Mexican American couples completed bilingual self-report questionnaires assessing endorsement of machismo beliefs and MS. Adjustments were made for income, acculturation, and number of children. Results showed an actor effect of overall machismo on MS for husbands among low-acculturated but not high-acculturated couples. Furthermore, we found that wives’ endorsement of positive machismo beliefs was associated with higher levels of their own MS, whereas moderate levels of positive machismo were associated with higher levels of MS for husbands. In contrast, wives’ endorsement of negative machismo was associated with lower levels of their husbands’ MS (a partner effect). Additional analyses revealed that among low-acculturated couples, husbands’ positive machismo was positively associated with their own MS, but not among high-acculturated couples. Among wives, we found the opposite pattern: wives in low-acculturated couples showed no association between positive machismo and MS, but among high-acculturated couples, wives’ endorsement of positive machismo was positively associated with their own MS. These findings call for a more nuanced understanding of positive and negative machismo and challenge stereotypical notions of machismo still prevalent in popular culture and research as intrinsically pathological.

Cultural values and romantic relationship satisfaction in Mexican adolescents: The moderating effects of parental psychological control and gender

“…The cultural value of caballerismo promotes the idea that men are expected to be well mannered, noble, sincere, and respectful toward women. In their study on Mexican American couples, Pardo et al (2013) found that dimensions of caballerismo (e.g., relationship accountability) were associated with higher relationship satisfaction (e.g., stronger emotional attachment to spouse). This may be because men who endorse caballerismo are more likely to be empathetic and compassionate toward their partners (Arciniega et al, 2008).…”

“…While research has demonstrated that Latino adolescents endorse traditional values of machismo (Céspedes & Huey Jr., 2008); there is a dearth of literature exploring these values with Mexican samples in the context of their romantic relationships. One exception is Pardo, Weisfeld, Hill, and Slatcher (2013), who explored the effects of machismo on marital satisfaction in a sample of Mexican American couples (Mage = 37.30). They found that husbands who subscribed to more traditional views of machismo (e.g., dominance, aggressiveness) also reported poorer relationship satisfaction (e.g., lower emotional attachment to spouse).…”

“…These feelings of empathy and compassion may help men foster intimacy between their spouses, which ultimately results in higher relationship satisfaction. Pardo et al (2013), Rueda and Williams (2016) explored the positive dimensions of caballerismo (e.g., desire to provide for female partner) among Mexican American adolescent couples (Mage = 16.25). In their exploratory qualitative study, Rueda and Williams found that all couples demonstrated some degree of caballerismo in their recorded conversations.…”

A Brief Scale to Measure Marital/Relationship Satisfaction by Domains: Metrics, Correlates, Gender and Marriage/ Relationship Status Differences

“…Gender differences in marital satisfaction are usually explained by male dominance in marriage, characterised by unequal control of family finances, higher risk for interpersonal violence, and double standards in regard to sexual behaviour. Pardo, Weisfeld, Hill, and Slatcher (2013) found that gender differences in marital satisfaction differ across cultures due to traditional sex roles, while Taniguchi and Kaufman (2013) found that gender differences in marital satisfaction may be attributed to culture related variables, such as sex egalitarianism. Diener (2000, p. 34) argues that subjective well-being (SWB) refers to people's evaluations of their lives, both affective and cognitive.…”

‘Love and trust, you can be blinded’: HIV risk within relationships among Latina women in Miami, Florida

“…Along with a strong promotion of masculinity and early sexual behavior, machismo also refers to displays of strength, aggression, and protective behaviors toward family (Pardo et al 2012). In the Latino culture, decisions regarding sexual intercourse and discussion of sexual topics are commonly the responsibility of the men and it is considered inappropriate for women to discuss sexuality (Rojas-Guyler, Ellis, and Sanders 2005).…”