“Machismo As a Symptom” a Lacanian Analysis on the Crisis of Masculinity in Medellín, Colombia
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Wageningen University & Research Centre – Department of Social Science – Sociology and Anthropology of Development and Change “Machismo as a Symptom” A Lacanian Analysis on the Crisis of Masculinity in Medellín, Colombia Major thesis written by Marleen Senge as part of her Master in International Development Studies. Date of Submission: 15. June, 2020 Supervisor: dr.ir. Pieter A. de Vries Second reader: dr. Elisabet D. Rasch Supervisor in Colombia: Alicia de la Torre Student number: 950211-758-080 Thesis code: SDC-80436 Hay un espacio físico y mental There is a physical and mental space De hombres que se peinsan Of men who comb their hair El cuento de ser hombres, The tale of being a man, Un espacio ligero, un transitar, A light space, a transit, Quizá un sendero, Maybe a trail, Para sonar que somos hombres nuevos. To sound like we're new men. Hombres mejores, hombres de amor Better men, men of love Sentipensantes Sentimental Hombres de manos extendidas Men with outstretched hands Ante el viejo milagro de la vida. Before the old miracle of life. Suave pandilla de humos y de olvidos Gentle gang of fumes and forgetfulness Manes querido, de mambes y sonidos Loving hands, of mambes1 and sounds Manes de abrazos, sonrisas y latidos. Hands of hugs, smiles and heartbeats. - El viejo macha. - The old one, Macha Photo on frontpage: Author’s photographs, taken on the Tour of Graffiti in Comuna 13 1 Drumms ii Table of content Explanations .................................................................................................................................... v Summary ....................................................................................................................................... ix Introduction – An UBER-driver with many questions ................................................................... 1 1.1. An UBER-driver with many questions .................................................................................. 1 1.2. Relevance of working with masculinities - problem statement .............................................. 5 1.3. Previous conceptualizations of hegemonic masculinity in Medellín / Latin America ............ 6 1.4. Objective of this thesis ............................................................................................................ 7 2. Theoretical background on Lacanian theory ........................................................................... 9 2.1. Sexual difference .................................................................................................................. 10 2.2. The impossibility of full subjectivity .................................................................................... 12 2.3. Machismo as a symptom ....................................................................................................... 12 3. Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 14 3.1. Ethics of research .................................................................................................................. 15 3.2. Confidentiality and informed consent - struggles for ethical codes ...................................... 15 4. Fantasy of Machismo ............................................................................................................ 16 4.1. Being a “Macho-man” in Medellín ....................................................................................... 16 4.2. Enjoying Machismo .............................................................................................................. 18 4.3. The meaninglessness of sacrifice .......................................................................................... 24 5. Men and the fantasy of Romance .......................................................................................... 28 5.1. Men on the relationships with women in Medellín ............................................................... 28 5.2. The ideal woman ................................................................................................................... 34 5.3. Theoretical considerations on the fantasy of romance .......................................................... 37 6. Spotting antagonistic practices in the fantasy of Romance & Machismo ............................. 41 6.1. The Piropo ............................................................................................................................. 41 6.1.1. Theoretical notes on the piropo ..................................................................................... 45 6.2. The irrationality of loyalty .................................................................................................... 46 6.2.1. Theoretical Considerations on the irrationality of loyalty ............................................ 50 7. Women’s betrayal ................................................................................................................. 52 7.1. The danger of women ........................................................................................................... 52 7.2. The feminist who steals enjoyment ....................................................................................... 56 8. Containing fantasies of otherness ......................................................................................... 61 9. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 68 10. Final reflections .................................................................................................................... 71 References ..................................................................................................................................... 74 iii Acknowledgments I want to thank the Municipality of Medellín and the University CES, for giving me the possibility to be part and to observe some of the Encuentros (meetings) of the program “Hombres como vos”. I would also like to especially thank Ana, an incredible woman who has supported me from the first moment in Medellín on. During my stay, you have showed me so much, offered me so many possibilities to research this topic and have shared many interesting views with me and have become a true friend to me. I hope, we can see each other one day again and enjoy some good Patacónes together, which, thanks to you I know now how to prepare. Thank you so much for making me feel so welcome in Medellín. Further, I would like to thank José and Lizandro. All your efforts to make me gain a deep understanding on gender-relations in Medellín have been so helpful to me and I have enjoyed all the talks that we shared. Even though I believe they will not be able to read this thesis, I would also like to thank all the men of the Encuentros of Hombres Amigos. You have been so kind and enthusiastic about our coming together, and I have enjoyed every time I visited you in Manrique – a beautiful place in Medellín. Your honesty and willingness to share insights of your life made me even more passionate about this thesis. I would also like to thank Macha el Viejo. I always loved spending time with you and the other men of Amañaderos de Manes. Your beautiful mindset and attitude has helped me to believe, that everything is possible and that everybody can be strong enough to change. Thank you so much for your trust and your inspiration! I also want to thank Juan David. You have welcomed me so warmly in Medellín and offered me the possibility to find beautiful spots and inspirational sides of the city. A big thank you also goes to my supervisor Pieter, who has supported me a lot during this thesis work. You have encouraged me, to gain a complete different understanding of not only gender, but of how I have theorized society and life in general before. Your constructive feedback has helped me, to transform a lot of “crazy” ideas into something profound, and have motivated me, to “think big”, and to be courageous enough to choose this pathway for my thesis. I would also like to thank my boyfriend Daniel, for whom reading this thesis surely must not be easy at certain parts. Thank you for always listening to my theoretical explanations of psychoanalysis and thank you for seeing past certain of my over-interpretations while wearing the psychoanalytical-gender glasses. I would also like to thank my friend Dennis, who has supported me to make this thesis a readable outcome that can actually be understood by others. Last but not least, I would also like to say thank you to my family. You always had to keep up with my trips and ideas, and I know that this trip has been worrisome for you sometimes. Thank you for trusting in me and for supporting me in all my decisions during my academic pathway. iv Explanations Programmes/Groups: Hombres como vos: - “Men like you” During my stay, I accompanied Ana and José to some of the Encuentros (meetings) of the program “Hombres como Vos” in both schools and public events, in which I have been observing their work. The program “Hombres como Vos” is a component of a larger project called “Familias Fuertes y Resilientes - en diferentes barrios de la ciudad de Medellín” (strong and resilient families in different neighbourhoods of the city of Medellín), and is a project of the Secretary of Health of the Alcaldía of Medellín (Municipality), supported and executed by the psychology faculty of the university CES (a university of Medellín