Running Head: HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY 1 Hegemonic
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Running head: HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY 1 Hegemonic Masculinity and Racism: The Impact on the Latino Man A Literature Review Presented to The Faculty of the Adler Graduate School _____________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for The Degree of Master of Arts in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy ______________________ By Vicenta del Carmen Valero, LSW Chair: Richard E. Close, DMin, MA, LPCC-S, LMFT-S Reader: Rashida Fisher, MS, LADC, LPCC _____________________ May 2018 HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY 2 Hegemonic Masculinity and Racism: The Impact on the Latino Man Copyright © 2018 Vicenta del Carmen Valero, LSW All rights reserved HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY 3 Abstract Hegemonic masculinity has infiltrated the quotidian life of every member of society. It is entrenched in everything we are exposed to social media, religion, art, literature, academia, news media, etc. (Donaldson, 1993, p.646). Its influence is evident in the impact it has in maintaining the patriarchal hierarchy currently controlling our societies (Connell, 2005). Hegemonic masculinity and racism are macro-level societal phenomena that can have adverse results on the mental and chemical health of men and women. As mental health professionals, we cannot ignore how macro-level systems impact the individual and that individuals can have a significant influence on macro-level systems. Because hegemonic masculinity affects more than gender relations and it has a significant impact in society’s socio economic and political power of individuals, it necessitates that its intersectionality with gender, class, and race not be disregarded (Connell, 2005; Dellinger, 2003). This analysis demonstrates the ways in which mental and chemical health of Latino men are negatively impacted at this very intersection. It will explore hegemonic masculinity and racism through the lens of individual psychology. Lastly, feminist therapy techniques will be explored as therapeutic interventions for Latino men who experience mental and chemical health problems caused by the distress generated by hegemonic masculinity and racism. HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY 4 Acknowledgments This effort would not have been possible had I not enjoyed the support, encouragement, and confidence that I can “accomplish anything” from a Mother who did not live long enough to see me secure my graduate degree. I would also like to give homage to the memory of my beloved brother, Tete, who was a true Caballero, the gentlest human being I have ever met, and inspiration for this paper. I must convey my gratitude to my honey-brother, Sittarahatabedar Foster, who encouraged, supported, permitted me to practice my theories, and as always, because honey is sweeter and thicker than blood. Lastly, deep gratitude to my dear friend, Susan Herrig, who has such conviction in my capabilities and determination. I embarked on this topic driven by the belief that if we are going to affect any real, meaningful change in our society, we must address the problems and consequences on both women and men that sustains the current patriarchal societal power structure. Investigating the effects of hegemonic masculinity combined with racism on Latino men is part of striving towards that goal. We have grown accustomed to engaging our world, and each other, driven by the centuries old belief that we live in a limited goods society (Trawick & Hornborg, 2015). As such, any triumph and accomplishment must be at the cost of someone else’s fortune. As a feminist, I cannot conceive the logic that in order for women to advance, men must be subjugated. The idea that the only way to create a more egalitarian society is by continuing the practice of looking at men as silent culprits who enjoy the exploits of our unjust hierarchal power structure is even less palatable. I want the discourse to include the effect that hegemonic masculinity has on men. While I do not want to minimize or ignore the reality that men do benefit from our current power structure and their position of privilege. They too are subjugated by it, especially Latino men who are instructed by machismo and caballerismo and must HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY 5 somehow find a way to make room for both while being subjected to racism and oppression that limits their opportunities (Echabe, 2010). It is my personal responsibility as a human being to create space which inspires a discourse on the subject of patriarchy, and that encourages dialogue that instigates change. As an Adlerian, I consider this effort part of exercising my gemeinschaftsgefühl (Ansbacher, & Ansbacher, 1964). It is only through hope and love that we can counter the dehumanizing effects of oppression in all its many names. Recognizing that macro-level systems impact the individual in a multitude of manners, both positively and negatively, I focus on the intersection of hegemonic masculinity and race and its impact on the mental and chemical health of Latino men. I have explored the impact hegemonic masculinity and racism on the mental and chemical health of Latino men with emphasis on the understanding that while most men benefit from our current patriarchal hierarchy, they are also negatively impacted by it. Lastly this effort is inspired by Freire’s (2012) belief that we cannot overcome oppression by becoming oppressors of those from whom we wish to liberate. HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY 6 Table of Contents Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................... 4 Definition of Terms......................................................................................................................... 8 What is Hegemonic Masculinity? ................................................................................................. 10 Constructing Masculinity .............................................................................................................. 13 Masculine Aggression and Violence ............................................................................................ 14 Gender Identity Versus Gender Roles .......................................................................................... 15 Hegemonic Masculinity and Latino men ...................................................................................... 16 Machismo ................................................................................................................................. 17 Man Pride ................................................................................................................................. 18 Caballerismo ............................................................................................................................. 18 Latino Men and Mental Health ..................................................................................................... 19 Effects of Racism .......................................................................................................................... 20 Racism and Mental Health ....................................................................................................... 21 Racism and Substance Use ....................................................................................................... 22 Latino Men and Substance Use ..................................................................................................... 23 Therapeutic Experience ................................................................................................................ 26 Individual Psychology .............................................................................................................. 27 Masculine protest. ............................................................................................................... 28 Gender guiding lines. .......................................................................................................... 28 Gemeinschaftsgefühl (social interest) ................................................................................. 29 Life style ............................................................................................................................. 30 Life tasks ............................................................................................................................. 31 Feminist Therapy ...................................................................................................................... 32 Therapy-demystifying ......................................................................................................... 32 Distress and psychopathology............................................................................................. 33 Social and gender-role analysis. ......................................................................................... 33 Power and powerlessness/assertiveness training ................................................................ 34 Consciousness-raising ......................................................................................................... 34 Discussion ..................................................................................................................................... 35 Implications for Practice .......................................................................................................... 36 Recommendations for Future Research ................................................................................... 38 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................