Applying Ambivalent Sexism to Latinx Gender Roles: Similarities and Differences.

Desrayaud, Nathalie; Martin, Gabriela R.

The theory of ambivalent sexism posits that hostile sexism defines women as inferior objects whereas benevolent sexism defines women as valuable and needing protection. In many Latinx cultures, two parallel gender role ideologies co-exist; traditional machismo describes men as superior to women and caballerismo describes men as women's protectors. This study explores the relationships between these sexism and gender role constructs as well as connections with marianismo, a Latinx gender role for women, and cognitive complexity, a communication skill. Survey data showed no difference in sexism or gender role endorsement due to Latinx identity. We found significant positive associations between traditional machismo and hostile sexism and between caballerismo and benevolent sexism, but not between traditional machismo and caballerismo. Our data provides support for marianismo as a complementary gender ideology to traditional machismo, but not to caballerismo. We further explore the effects of gender and cognitive complexity.

GENDER role; GENDER differences (Sociology); COMMUNICATIVE competence; SEXISM; GENDER; IDEOLOGY

Women & Language, 2024, Vol 47, Issue 2, p205

8755-4550

Academic Journal

10.34036/WL.2024.020