PERCEIVED GENDER ROLE CONFLICT AND VIOLENCE: MEXICAN AMERICAN GANG MEMBERS A dissertation presented to the faculty of ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY OF SANTA BARBARA in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY in CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY By LORRAINE GRAY May 2015 PERCEIVED GENDER ROLE CONFLICT AND VIOLENCE: MEXICAN AMERICAN GANG MEMBERS This dissertation, by Lorraine Gray, has been approved by the committee members signed below who recommend that it be accepted by the faculty of Antioch University Santa Barbara in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY Dissertation Committee: ___________________________ Steven Kadin, Ph.D Chairperson ___________________________ Salvador Trevino, Ph.D Second Faculty ____________________________ James O’Neil, Ph.D External Expert ii Copyright 2015 Lorraine Gray All rights reserved iii Abstract The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine gender role conflicts (the inability to express emotions or feelings) within the lived experiences of former Mexican American gang members. This study involved exploring the relationship between restricted emotionality, machismo, and violence. O’Neil developed the theory of gender role conflict in 1980 to identify areas of stress in masculine behavior, cognitions, affective behavior, and the unconscious. According to O’Neil (1981a), “Gender role conflict is a psychological state in which gender roles (masculine, feminine, or androgynous roles) have negative consequences or impacts on the persons” (p. 203). The extreme result of conflict is the limitation of a person’s ability to ascertain his or her highest and best human potential or to limit another person from reaching his or her inherent capacity. A review of literature revealed no research on the distinctive subculture of Mexican American gang members and gender role conflict. The focus of this study was one of O’Neil’s six patterns of gender role conflict: restricted emotionality. This study involved examining machismo from various perspectives, including exploring the anthropological roots of a patriarchal society as a possible infrastructure to misogyny and strict traditional male ideologies such as hypermasculinity. This study helped elucidate how the dominant culture plays an active role in influencing the identity and behavior of a subcultural group, specifically Mexican American gang members. The electronic version of this dissertation is available free at Ohiolink ETD Center, www.ohiolink.edu/etd. iv Acknowledgments I think back on the entire process of writing my dissertation and the obstacles and mountains I encountered to reach this point in my life, as well as the exhausting and long hours I spent working on the dissertation and burning the candle on both ends. I am so grateful for the many people who helped me through this process. The adage that “It takes a village to raise a child” also applies to writing a dissertation. Writing a dissertation is more than conducting research and reading countless articles and books. It is a collaboration of many people helping to orchestrate the entire process. I first want to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to my Heavenly Father, my Lord Jesus for giving me the strength and the endurance to win this race. I also want to express my deepest gratitude to my mother and her dear friends who never stopped praying. I would like to acknowledge with the deepest gratitude the Sisters of Poor Clare, who unceasingly prayed for me. I want to thank Father Larry, Father Bob, and Father John for their constant prayers and encouragement. I want to thank my children Alexander, Angela, and Christine for their unfailing love and for believing and supporting me in this endeavor. I would like to express my gratitude to my dear friend Dr. Ana, who was helpful, inspiring, and always speaking words of encouragement. I would also like to thank my dear friend Mary, who was also writing her dissertation at the time, yet helped me to format the table of contents and set up my document in APA format. No matter what time it was, Mary’s words were always joyous and encouraging. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my dear brother Edward, who spent countless hours helping and encouraging me through this entire process. I am most appreciative of you, my dear and beloved brother. I want to thank Ron, my dear friend who constantly v reminded me to take care of myself, breathe, enjoy life, and take a walk in the mountains or a walk on the beach. I am so grateful for your friendship, support, and encouragement and not allowing me to quit. I also want to express my deepest thanks to Steve Kadin, PhD, ABPP for his patience, direction, and support during the dissertation process. I would also like to express my thanks to Salvador Trevino, PhD, who requested I read more articles on Mexican Americans and write about the authentic voice of the Mexican American culture. I would especially like to thank my APA editor Toni Williams for her diligent and thorough commitment to editing my dissertation. I would like to give deep thanks to James M. O’Neil for his expertise on gender role conflict and his great articles written on this subject. I am most appreciative of Dr. O’Neil’s support and expertise. His research became my guiding light in the formulation of this dissertation. I would like to express my deepest thanks to all the young men who participated in this study. All of you have enriched my life, provided a greater sense of awareness of your struggles and aspirations, and opened your hearts to trust me. I appreciate your lived experiences and the responsible and worthy men that you have become. vi Table of Contents List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... x List of Figures .................................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 Overview: Purpose of the Study ............................................................................. 1 Background: Gender Role Conflict ........................................................................ 3 Gender Role Conflict History ................................................................................. 3 Rationale ................................................................................................................. 4 Instrumentation ....................................................................................................... 5 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 6 Theoretical Concepts .............................................................................................. 6 Victimization ......................................................................................................... 17 Gender Role Expectations ..................................................................................... 18 Chapter 2: Literature Review ............................................................................................ 21 Attachment Theory ............................................................................................... 21 Early Childhood Socialization .............................................................................. 22 Adolescent Boys and Gender Role Conflict ......................................................... 24 Male Socialization ................................................................................................ 25 Socialization Code ................................................................................................ 27 Society Expectations ............................................................................................. 28 Contemporary Socialization .................................................................................. 28 Disidentification .................................................................................................... 29 Aggression and Violence ...................................................................................... 29 vii Criminal Behavior ................................................................................................. 32 The History of Hispanic Gangs ............................................................................. 32 Disidentification and Gender Role Conflict ......................................................... 36 Masculine Ideology ............................................................................................... 38 Machismo .............................................................................................................. 40 Family Hierarchy .................................................................................................. 42 Mexican American Masculinity ............................................................................ 43 Deviant Conduct ................................................................................................... 45 Violence ................................................................................................................ 47 Misogyny .............................................................................................................. 49 Shame and Guilt ...................................................................................................