LITR 4332: American Minority Literature

Misty Hummel

Mexican-American Male Dominance

I had originally wanted to write my research paper over racism in today’s society, but I had a difficult time narrowing my topic down. After listening to the presentation of the poem, “Elena,” and discussing it over with the class, I became quite interested in the subject of male dominance in the Mexican-American culture. The poem also allowed me to see how powerful poetry can be in helping others to hear the “minority voice and vicariously share in the minority experience.” It was this experience that intrigued me to do more research on the topic.

I discovered in my searching the course objective of “family traditions” Mexican-American males are traditionally the head of household in most Mexican families. This is, however, rapidly changing due to the effects that assimilation has on the Mexican-American family unit. According to Leland Mellott, “As individuals become more “Americanized,” they tend to adopt American traditions – traditions that are generally much different from Mexican ones.  Many factors can lead to Americanization, a process that creates an extremely fascinating dichotomy.” (Ceremony for a Chicano-community Wedding) This allows the authentic Mexican culture to go astray. 

There are two views of the machismo-- a positive view and a negative view. The positive view is that it gives a man his “honor.” The negative view is that the wife and children are subjective to what ever abuse or discipline the father decides to use. On either end of the spectrum it does not mix with the Anglo views on male dominance. Now not only are Mexican-American ideas changing, but so is the white man’s.

I have also been able to see through my research the idea of the “new American” forming. The Mexican-American family is going through both acculturation and assimilation. Some things the Mexican-American culture view as good, yet others they view as being terrible. (And yet, this varies from person to person.) The “ambivalent minority” is a term for the “mixed feelings” that Mexican-Americans have. The first generation of immigrants kept their traditions, but generally by the third generation they start to lose most of their original culture. (Mirande)

I can also see the effects that the “minority concept” has on the Mexican-American culture. On the website “Hispanic Verses Anglo Male Dominance in Purchase Decisions,” it talks about Mexican-American males and the factors that they play in the market: “group orientation, respect for authority, class distinction, faith, belief in fate, and family loyalty.” It is strange how those ideas even come up in the market world. Yet, it is part of the Mexican-American male identity. (Ogden, Penn State Berks/Lehigh Valley, and Fogelsville)

It was the course objectives that became clear to me as I did my research. I began to truly understand the idea of the “family traditions,” “ambivalence minority,” “new American,” and “minority concept.” I now recognize that not all Mexican-American men who play this role participate in the assimilation concept. The “metafolklores” also gave me insight as to why machismo is so important in the Mexican-America culture. I have learned to appreciate that. (Limon)

Work Cited

Limon, Jose E. “Legendry, Metafolklore, and Performance: A Mexican-American      Example.” Western Folklore. Vol. 42. July 1983. 191-208.

Lobos, Amílcar, and Leland Mellott. Quetzal. San Francisco: Glide Publications, 1973.        “Ceremony for a Chicano-community Wedding”

Mirande, Alfredo. “Men’s Roles in the Family.” The Family Coordinator. Vol.              28., October 1979. 473-479.

Ogden, Denise T., Penn State Berks/Lehigh Valley, and Fogelsville. “Hispanic verses Anglo male dominance in purchase decisions.” Emerald. November 2005.