1. Psyc 190 Global Family Violence Latin American Contexts
Film clip: The Way Home
Different groups
Cultural values
Understanding machismo in context
Risk factors for abuse
Culturally tailored responses to abuse
Brazil: Political responses
Key elements in responses to family violence

2. Different Latin American Groups
Different experiences: migration,discrimination, acculturation
Mexican Americans: 1845 US annexed Texas, 1849 treaty ended Mex Am war,gave US So.W. territory
welcomed only for lowest paying jobs, discrimination peaks in recessions
Puerto Ricans: 1848 US invaded, annexed Spanish colony, history high unemployment
1917 citizenship, 1952 commonwealth status
Most discrimination & poverty, darkest skin
Cubans: anti-Castro refugees, wealthy educated professionals, light skinned

3. Cultural Values Family & hierarchical respect important Machismo
Both positive and negative connotations
Man as nurturer, protector, provider, proud
Stereotype:
Siolent, dominant, sexually aggressive
Internalized by some, rationalizes DV, < help
Marianismo
Women as spiritually superior, can endure
Should endure suffering like the Virgin Mary
Remain chaste, keep family together, fatalism

4. Understanding Machismo in Context
Social conditions influence gender roles
Oppression is internalized
Must examine class, history, & ethnicity
How have different groups coped with exclusion from jobs, power?
Masculinity as a valued social resource
Men of color exclude from public sphere
Response: Hypermasculine role performed
Emphasis on family solidarity maintains roles

5. Risk Factors for Abuse in Latin American Families
Poverty (31% Puerto Ricans, 27% Mex Ams,14% Cuban Ams)
Low education (a little over 50% have HS degrees, 11% have college degrees)
Unemployment & seasonal migrant work
Substance abuse
History of abuse
Recent immigration: lo help seeking, distrust
Family emphasis on chastity and silence
Acculturation associated w/ more violence but more help seeking

6. Culturally Tailored Responses
Instead of asking why women stay…
See IPV as interpersonal, economic, psychological and cultural (sees paradoxes)
Recognizes strengths of victims and barriers
Respects & celebrates positive cultural values
Rejects stereotypes that support violence
Explores internalized values & interpretations:
from dominant culture (racism)
from religion (rejects silence, rejects chastity as female responsibility)
Empowers with economic opportunities

7. Brazil: Political Responses
1943 laws: women as 2nd class (needed male permission to work, couldn’t own property)
1975: international & church based human rights movement against military dictatorship
Women’s issues seen as divisive, lesser
1875 UN Year of the Woman: Brazilian Feminist group emerged – others followed
1984 Brazil ratified UN Convention against Discrimination of Women
1988 new constitution, = rights, task forces
Establishment of women’s policy stations for DV although under resource
1991: Defense of honor deemed inadmissible

8. Key Elements in Responses to FamilyViolence
Active pressure group focused on federal government to maintain women’s interests
Search out and preserve statewide services
Pressure judiciary system
Expand alliances with groups against violence
Provide community education
Maintain 800 number hotlines
Expand shelters, counseling, advocacy