Machismo and Marianismo
The male ideology machismo is existent and is a commonly used connotation in many cultures across Latin America. In some languages, it is introduced with a primary meaning mainly as exaggerated masculinity. In contemporary Latin America society, the connotation machismo is used to describe masculinity particularly found in men though this can also be applied to women. This indigenous ideology was based on a patriarchal and militaristic society, which socialized its men to be warriors and women to be home caretakers and subordinate to men. While many in the society debate the role of women in the Latin America society, the music industry has been playing a leadership role in progressive facilitation of female musicians. Although many would be of opinion that Latin Music and music videos is mainly a male dominated the game, this would be considered right , but there have been several women who have broken the cultural taboos, old-world thinking and many commercial preconceptions and proved the odds wrong. They adopted Marianismo cultural idea that seeks to treat women as virtue keepers (Asbjorn, 2011).
Asbjorn (2011) explains that Hip Hop and Pop music was also highly instrumental in women who wanted to change the shape of Latin music by doing away with attributes of machismo. Up in front to lead the urban Hip Hop music was Ivy Queen whose growth in music was helped by help by her way of wrapping that was angry similar to men but with woman flavour. This has raised her recognition in the music territory, which was previously dominated by male, as well as in the music charts. Gloria Estefan`s unique ability to attract many Pop music fans has also contributed to women rise in Latin music. Her desire to entertain both Spanish and English speakers made her overcome criticism from the male counterparts who thought that she would never make it. It took her chameleon-as if ability which many critics had said would let her down as she was too Latin to the Americans and at the same time too American to the Latin to earn the name Queen of Latin Pop.
Social implications
With the rising awareness about machismo and Marianismo in the Latin America, feminist involvement in music led to various reforms and other notable changes in the socioeconomic status of women. Some women stretched these reforms to politics where there have been notable changes in political participation of women. On the other side, the majority of minority women remain in abject poverty as they still hold on to old-world, which tie them to patriarchal and other traditional value systems. Those who have risen up have been able to pay greater attention to their health, mental health, social needs and specific socio-cultural in the effort of mainstreaming the society. Even though women engage effort in the music industry, they continue being primarily responsible in child rearing duty. This is crucial in setting up the tone for future generations as they engage the younger ones in different music arts while participating in the work force. From this, they are empowered and enriched with socioeconomic and political skills. The women then become informed consumers and great contributors to the social process.
The assumption of music roles and leadership in music charts has faced numerous struggles. This has ranged from being the centre of jokes to having to select between a public life, which is major characteristic amongst musicians, and family life. Much is needed to free those who fail in choosing between the need for change and adherence to the traditional systems. Women in the music industry managed to be where they are because they were able to address attitudes and archaic systems, which deprive the Latin women at all levels of control of their behaviour and their lifestyles. These are the attributes that dictates the dos and don`ts of their daily life. Even though, leadership and power in the contemporary Latin American continued to be the rightful inheritance of men, women have been able to prove the odds and join in the leadership roles. They also improved on their ability to connect, how they express themselves and how they are viewed by the cultural system (Maxfield, 2008).
Despite rising up to higher standards due to music uplift, this has not changed the vital role women play in the family. (Maxfield, 2008) postulates that the same women who get massive following have played a vital role both at the family level and national level even though some unfair history often overlooks their contribution. Empowerment enjoyed has helped them in playing their roles as mothers and wives and sharing economic responsibilities in their households. They provide essentials such as food, clothing, shelter and other crucial goods to their families. This in turn liberated women’s activities and movements from male control. Women’s roles changed owing to the economic changes.
During early time, women never held high positions offices such as political offices, but with the empowerment, they openly participated in the political activities. Progress witnessed amongst women did not mean that women challenged their roles in society as subordinates to men. Culture held it that women were subordinate of men , but when it came to protecting and defending their families, these women rarely held to the cultural traits. The rose against machismo and were encouraged by Marianismo which treated them as virtue keepers. They responded well to the call of education, and this propelled them to positions that had been previously denied to them. This experience helped women in developing distinct feminism that further challenged stereotypes that were persistent in the society about male and female (Wellburn, 2009).
Media reaction
It was previously thought that Latin music was a man’s game. This was so because of the colonial structures established by the cultural centres of power that were generated by male dominated characters. Latin music has been on the receiving end concerning gender and sexuality matters. There were previous sentiments that there was no interest in women singing music such as salsa. Female singers such as Celia Cruz were the targets of these discouragements, but despite all, she rose and proved her critics wrong, as she was able to rise to fame and surpass other male salsa musicians of her time. There was the prevailing attitude that women would not balance their duties as wives and mothers and music at the same time, but this was proved wrong as female musicians managed to play all these roles. With a perception that Hip Hop was “rough” and “angry” music, only men were considered well suit for it. However, when Ivy Queen jumped into the world of rap, she mixed it up and won many fans in this male dominated music.
Most female musicians have capitalised on their powerful voice and relentless personality to swim against the wave of challenges that existed in the music industry. This has yielded fruits as some of them have won over many fans and have been ranked top in the music charts. An example is the late Elis Regina who despite succumbing to death at an early age of 36 years; her music is still intense and remains popular as she was extraordinarily received by the industry because of her popular Latin styles.
The future of gender and sexuality issues
Latin American women composers have been segregated in their native home because of gender. They rarely perform, or their chances to perform in places are limited compared to male composers. There has been cultural, and musical discrimination directed towards female music creators who have been gathering skills in order to survive (Maxfield, 2008). These are some of the challenges that time and evolving music generation will bury and create new and improved platform for female composers. In the contemporary new art music to come, there will more room available for Latin American contemporary female composers.
References
Asbjorn, O. (2011). The impact of machismo in promoting women in Central
America.
Maxfield, S. (2008) .Modifying best practices in women's advancement for the Latin
American context: Women in Management Review.
Wellburn, P. (2009). A Companion to Latin American Literature and Culture.
