Marianismo

Marianismo is the construct that represents the traditional female gender role in Latina culture. Often framed as the counterpart to machismo, marianismo was coined by the political scientist Evelyn Stevens to describe a set of ideal behaviors and qualities expected of women in Latin American societies. In general, women from these cultures are socialized in the image of the Virgin Mary to be chaste and self-sacrificing. Responsible for the harmony, unity, and spiritual well-being of the family, the stereotypically ideal Latina is passive, submissive, and nurturing. She is faithful, morally superior, and obedient to men, often forsaking her own needs and desires for the sake of her family’s welfare. Suffering is normalized, and a woman’s ability to persevere through adversity is considered one of her ...