Sex Roles and Perceptions of Femininity and Masculinity of Hispanic Women: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

This article evaluates the research conducted on sex roles and perceptions of femininity and masculinity of Hispanic women. It begins with a critical review of early social and anthropological studies in which the roles of Hispanic women before the advent of the women's movement in the 1960s are described. The paper continues with more recent psychosocial studies that question the traditional portrayal of male-female roles and allocation of power in Hispanic families. Finally, the studies on Hispanics that measure the psychological dimension of femininity and masculinity are reviewed and summarized in a table including authors, sample, methodology and results.This article evaluates the research conducted on sex roles and perceptions of femininity and masculinity of Hispanic women. A historical and conceptual review of research is undertaken emphasizing Puerto Rican women, as well as Mexican and Cuban women where appropriate. Special attention is given to research studies utilizing Spence and Helmreich's (1972) scales on attitudes toward women, and femininity and masculinity. EARLY ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDIESMost of the early studies focusing on family roles conducted in Puerto Rico in the 1940s and 1950s involved social anthropology methodology and were Requests for reprints should be sent to Ena Vazquez-Nuttall, School & Counseling Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. 409Published by Cambridge University Press. 0361-6843187 $5.00 + .OO.

Concepts of Burden in Giving Care to Older Relatives: A Study of Female Caregivers in a Mexico City Neighborhood

“…The dissonance between being caregivers and not wanting to be a future burden on their families may be explained by placing our findings within the context of the abundant literature on family formation and functioning in Mexico (K. Finkler, 1994a;García & de Oliveira, 1997;LeVine et al, 1986;LeVine, 1986;Oropesa, 1997;Vázquez-Nuttall et al, 1987). Gender role differentiation and social role functioning, particularly the female marianisma role, are important to the social organization of Mexican culture (Staton, 1972).…”

Religion and Gender Ideologies among Working-Age U.S. Latinas/os

“…Briefly, the available evidence indicates that U.S. born Latinas/os or Latina/o immigrants who have spent significant time in the country tend to hold more egalitarian and less traditional gender ideologies than others (Parrado and Flippen 2005;Su et al 2010). Indicators of acculturation such as speaking English (versus Spanish) at home have also been associated with more egalitarian gender ideologies (Kane 2000;Vasquez-Nuttall et al 1987). However, some researchers have argued against the emphasis on acculturation since this focus caricatures and exaggerates the degree of male dominance in Latina/o culture, wherein micro-level gender relations are highly contested (e.g., (Baca Zinn 1980;Segura 1992)).…”

“…However, some researchers have argued against the emphasis on acculturation since this focus caricatures and exaggerates the degree of male dominance in Latina/o culture, wherein micro-level gender relations are highly contested (e.g., (Baca Zinn 1980;Segura 1992)). In addition to acculturation, studies have shown that structural factors like education, employment, and economic resources are associated with greater gender egalitarianism among Latinas/os and other groups (Phinney and Flores 2002;Vasquez-Nuttall et al 1987;Wilkie 1993).…”

Catholicism and Machismo: The Impact of Religion on Hispanic Gender Identity

“…In disadvantaged societies these women tend to be less educated and economically handicapped. Studies by Zeff (1982), Vazquez-Nuttall (1987), Saez (2009), and others, have documented that upward mobility is related to a less traditional or ethnic identification and a less conservative gender interpretation. A higher degree of education, economic stability, and sub-urbanization is key elements in emulating fewer normative social patterns.…”

“…One of the first gender studies in the Hispanic world was conducted in Puerto Rico in the 1950s by Steward (1956) who laid the foundation for a more complex understanding of Hispanic female gender roles, as they become permeable with education. Vazquez-Nuttall (1987) provides an excellent overview of the existing research in the fields of psychology and sociology. The Catholic roots of gender identities in the Hispanic world, however, remain largely…”