Machos, Mistresses, Madonnas: Contesting the Power of Latin American Gender Imagery

by Marit Melhuus (Editor), Kristi Anne Stolen (Editor)

Challenging the stereotypical images of the dominating male and the subservient woman, Machos, Mistresses, Madonnas addresses the variety of representations of gender in Latin American culture. Ranging across homosexuality, prostitution, football, politics and ethnic relations, this fascinating study analyzes the many potent images of gender, from Maradona, the child trickster of Argentinian football, to La Malinche, mistress of a conquistador and traitor to her nation. Based on social anthropological fieldwork, the essays in Machos, Mistresses, Madonnas present rich ethnographic material drawn from a variety of locations in Latin America, from Mexico City to the highlands of Ecuador. Paying particular attention to the cultural and symbolic meanings of gender research in the region, together the essays reveal the central role of gender differences in the making of ethnic, national, political and economic divisions.

Genres: Feminism

288 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 1996

Reviews

[Adriana Sierra Leal · Rating 1 out of 5]

A series of supposedly academic essays written by white (Swedish) scholars on the exotic Latin American other, filled with unnecessary italicized words in Spanish where their translation passes as analysis. Most of the essays are populated by Latin American stereotypes and tropes, with no nuance or distinction regarding race, class or other intersecting factors of identity.

I admit, as a Latin American seeing her own culture(s) and people(s) put under a (white gaze) microscope, my review might be especially harsh. The essays, after all, were written in the 90s. However, in the 90s there was no shortage of Latin American feminist movements, no shortage of Latin American feminist thinking and texts - and yet, most of the authors write essays on gender, without ever acknowledging and much less engaging with this rich body of feminist thought.

In fact, even when judged for their academic merit, the essays fall short. The body of literature consulted for the most part is poor or barely existing, and the analyses of findings draws questionable conclusions that are clearly tainted by the authors' neocolonial views of Latin America.

The only essay that I felt was worth reading (note that I did have the stomach to read all of them) was the only one written by a Latin American author, Magdalena Villareal. Villareal's essay is carefully researched and demonstrates how gender identities can be nuanced and performed depending on the purpose and audience.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting articles/essays. It's very academic and not an easy read. However, it has offered me great insights and lots of thinking material.