Difference Between Machismo and Feminism

Within each society , human beings form ideas, mental schemes and stereotypes of different things, in many cases due to ignorance and in others to simple adversity. Since millennia, people (or at least many of them) have ruled their lives and sometimes that of others; based on erroneous ideas about the position that each one has within the social system.  Difference Between Machismo and Feminism

Undoubtedly, among the ideas that many cultures have had and continue to have, is that of the roles that each person should play depending on their sex; but although it is clear that men and women have certain differences (especially biological), in most cases, this idea has been taken to the social level; causing that sometimes certain people are discriminated against and abused solely because they are of a certain sex.

One of the most dangerous attitudes is machismo, which can have many causes; but it usually has a certain relationship with some religious beliefs; although it is important to clarify that it is not only religion that is the source of this, because it could also be thought that machismo has influenced the latter.

With the passage of time and the incursion of women in the labor field, feminist movements began to emerge that propose and demand the rights of women and their social equality against men. This as a way to combat many abuses committed against women, by individuals with macho attitudes.

Next we will see what are some of the differences between machismo and feminism and what each one proposes.

SEXISM

Machismo is the belief that men are superior to women and that women must always occupy a place below that of individuals of the male sex. Sometimes it can be so extreme that it leads to a total disregard for women and everything related to the female sex (misogyny). However, machismo should not be confused with misogyny, because in the former it is only considered that women are inferior to men, but they are not hated; while in the case of misogyny it is an extreme adversity towards women.

Machismo many times is not only reduced to discrimination against the female sex, but also against homosexuals, transsexuals and metrosexuals.

Throughout history, machismo has been reflected in a direct or subtle way by various means; from certain comments within the family environment, to various advertisements where women, homosexuals … are treated as inferior or stupid beings.

In many societies, even today it is still seen as very important that the woman reaches marriage a virgin and that she takes care of the children and the husband within the home. Women are also still seen as the property of men, and in some cultures many women are even murdered and mutilated, because they are not even considered human beings

Anyway, there are many signs of machismo and some of them we are so used to that they even seem normal to us; as for example, when we say “Rosa is So-and-so’s wife”; On the other hand, it is very rare for people to say “So-and-so is Rosa’s man.” This is a sign of machismo because it is assumed that the woman belongs to her male partner.

FEMINISM

Contrary to what many people believe, feminism does not claim that women are above men or that they have more rights than men. What feminists seek is equal rights between men and women; for which they are opposed to the woman being considered as a disabled being in front of the man.

Although feminism is considered a modern doctrine, throughout history there have been cases of women and even men who have advocated for equality between both sexes.

In more recent times, feminism led to women being granted the right to seek divorce, suffrage, and employment; in addition to being able to receive an education and go to university.

Something interesting to note is that not all women are feminists; in the same way that not all men are macho. There are women who agree to assume the role that men have given them within the family and in society; Likewise, there are differences within feminist groups regarding some somewhat delicate issues such as abortion, in which opinions are divided between those who believe that it is a right of every woman and those who affirm that it cannot be in this way, because the creature is another being and not a part of the woman.

Currently, thanks to feminist struggles, greater education has been achieved regarding the use of contraceptives and undergoing medical procedures to achieve pregnancy.

Finally, in the same way that machismo can be taken to an extreme level, likewise in feminism there have been somewhat radical cases; but they constitute a minority.

KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MACHISMO AND FEMINISM

• Machismo proclaims the superiority of men over women, while feminism seeks equality between both genders.
• In general, feminist groups do not abuse or discriminate against men, but people with macho attitudes (there may be sexist women) minimize the figure of women compared to men and in many cases there has been abuse and mistreatment of women .
• Today, machismo in general is seen as an outdated attitude, while only radical feminism is frowned upon.