How do Masculinity and Inequality Relate to the Negative Experiences of Mexican Latino Day Laborers?
Mexican Latino Day Laborers have developed a defined sense of masculinity build on the concepts of macho and machismo. Researchers have delved into the issue and looked into the impact of the LDLs trying to live up to the socially acceptable presentation of a real man. A review of the literature on this issue reveals that Mexican LDLs often engage in various maladaptive strategies to ensure that they portray the socially defined concept of masculinity.
Methods
This study employed purposive sampling as the primary methodology towards getting data. Purposive sampling here entails the selection of subjects and cases that offer the kind of information required. Unlike other sampling techniques such as random sampling, purposive seeks out subjects with full understanding of the issue under research .
In this case, the study attempted to look into the concept of masculinity among the Latino men. The researcher, therefore, identified particular individuals who would offer personal information as opposed to offering heresy. Purposive sampling was therefore employed where the researcher intentionally picked 10 LDLS who work at Home Depot. The individuals were selected given that they were men, and had experienced the phenomenon that the study sought to analyze. Having subjects who have lived the experience improves the reliability of the research outcomes .
In selecting the subjects to use in the study, the researcher developed a participation criterion for the individuals. To this end, the subjects were required to be of Latino decent, male, in the productive age bracket and a current LDL. 10 participants were selected to enter the study. These were selected from a pool of 20 individuals. The ten were selected due to their willingness to offer the required information and share their personal experiences. Ten respondents were perceived as enough to provide the data required for the answering of the research questions. Given that this is a qualitative study, a smaller number is more appropriate . This is because a lower number implies that the researcher can enter into a one-on-one interaction with the respondent. Through this kind of interaction, valuable information that would otherwise not be obtained from questionnaires or within a group setting is realized.
The researcher developed an interview guide as the tool that would be used in the collection of data. In this tool, various key questions were written down to ensure that none was forgotten during the conversation. During the interview, the researcher was free to alter and translate the questions in a bid to get more detailed information. Besides, the respondents were allowed to ask any questions appertaining the clarity of the interview questions. Four major aspects informed the interview guide. First was the definition that the respondents had about home. Their concept of home would help in understanding the creation of masculinity in LDLs. The next aspect was getting to understand what the respondents’ definition of what the role of a mother and father in the family was. The next item in the interview tool was conceptualizing what work or labor meant to them. Lastly, the device sought to establish what the respondent’ conceptualization of a man was.
The researcher conducted a 20 minutes interview with each of the selected subjects. This time was enough for the questions indicated in the interview guide to be fully answered. The researcher made use of open-ended questions due to the freedom they gave to the respondents to express themselves. Open-ended questions are critical tools in qualitative research since they allow the respondents to express their views or experiences adequately without the limits set by closed-ended questions . A critical aspect of conducting interviews is creating rapport with the respondent. To this end, the researcher opted to make initial contact by asking a broad question. The problem, in this case, was why they came to America, and how the experience was so far. After answering the broad questions, the researcher was able to gauge the feelings, attitudes and expectations of the subjects. This defined the ways through which the researcher handled the respondent going forward.
The understanding that qualitative research seeks to collect data from subjects within the real world informed this study . To this end, the researcher sought to conduct the interviews in a location which was comfortable to the respondents. A spot outside Home Depot was established, given that it was near to the places of work of the LDLs. Given the time limits of the respondents, the interviews were conducted during the breaks. This forced the researcher to buy the respondents a beverage as the interview progressed. This was a show of goodwill to the respondents. To ensure that the information offered was genuine and not influenced by spectators, each interview was conducted independently. Gathering data from a group may result to non-honest sentiments due to the development of the “group feeling”. Each respondent was therefore interviewed away from the other laborers and urged not to share the questions with their friends.
The respondents were notified that the interviews were being recorded. After consent had been obtained, the researcher went on to use an Olympus TP-7 recording device to keep a record of the audio files. Confidentiality of the recording was assured to the respondents. The reason behind the recording was to ascertain the accuracy of the information obtained. After the interviews, the audio files were written down. This was the process of reviewing and checking for the completeness of the recorded information. In cases where the respondents were uncomfortable with the recording of their views, they were free to ask for the recorder to be switched off. In a bid to maintain the confidentiality of the respondents, the names of the respondents were not recorded. The respondents were, however, given codes to enable the researcher to differentiate the information given by each respondent.
Results
Conceptualization of “home”
The researcher identified the concept of home as being critical to the understanding of the impact of masculinity to the LDLs. Home is a concept that appeared to have different conceptualizations from the respondents. There are a variety of adjectives used to describe home such as a given geographical location, certain people, a certain object or even a given smell.
LDL3, for instance, viewed home from two perspectives. First was the area, he was residing, and the place of his origin back in Mexico. The implication is that the respondent had two homes. Despite the fact that he lives within a community majorly made up of Mexicans, the ties to Mexico are still too strong resulting in the dual perspective of home. LDL1 and 4 shared the view that home was all about sharing of experiences. According to them, America was their home since they lived within a community of shared experiences and memories. The implication here is that the two had adjusted well to the new culture. The others, however, disagreed and pointed out that home was all about acceptance. Given the kind of discrimination and alienation they felt in America, this could not be their home. The implication here is that there was a cultural conflict in trying to fit into the new culture.
Perception of the roles within the family
The research acknowledges that socialization informed the worldview an individual had especially in the family. This was the logic behind the question of what they saw as the role of the mother and father in a family. A common aspect gathered from the responses was the conceptualization of family. The LDLs were in unison pointing out that the family was central to everything they do. LD7 was quick to point out that their immigration had broadened the concept of family to include people who were not related by blood, but people who could be counted on at times of trouble.
It is through the family that the laborers got to understand the role of each person in the family. LD10 pointed out that the mother took up the informational role, constantly informing then what boys were expected to do as opposed to what girls did. The family, therefore, informed the perception of gender roles in the family. The respondents were in unison pointing out that the two parents had different roles. The father was defined by his work while the mother was defined by her ability to take care of everyone. According to the respondents, therefore, the role of a father was to ensure that his family never lacks. They agreed that men, especially the father had other roles within the family, but the primary role was being the provider of all the family needs. According to LD4, providence was how his father showed love. According to him, this is the right way for a man to act, and that is what defines his life.
Perceptions about work
In understanding masculinity, inequality and the link to adverse outcomes for Mexican LDLs, the interview sought to understand the respondents perception of work. Given the background, most of the interviewees had differing approaches to work. According to LDL9 and LDL6, there was a distinction between work and chores. According to them work was done to enable a person to pay his bills, chores, on the other hand, where activities done willingly. LD1 and LDL3 pointed out that work was anything that was physically done. The two pointed out that their background in agriculture where they spent time working on farms informed this idea. Anything that was not physical such as working in the office was not considered as real work for a real man. What stood out, therefore, is the inclusion of concepts of intensity and physicality when it comes to work. Top this end, most of the respondents agreed that they felt more useful when they were involved in some physical activity. They, however, agreed that paying the bills was the most important thing in the modern day society.
Perception on what it meant to be a man
Having established the social background of the respondents, the researcher then sought to find out what made up a man from the LDL perspective. What stood out was the agreement that a man had to be a provider. To this end, the respondents were in unison in pointing out that just like their fathers and done, they could not be regarded as real men if they could not provide. LDL8 pointed out that this was the reason that informed his decision to move from Mexico to America. His family was at a bad place since they were limited to only eating staple foods. His hope was to provide regular income for his family.
LDL7 pointed pout that he did not want his wife to be engaged in any labor. According to him, allowing his wife to work meant that he had failed in his role as a man. This was the patriarchal approach to the household supported by some of the other respondents. Others like LDL5 and 10, however disagreed and noted that the modern society allowed for the reversing of the traditionally set gender roles. Some of them pointed out they had migrated into the states amid opposition of their spouses. This was to avoid the situation of not being recognized as real men. The society further instilled this definition of masculinity by showering praises on the individuals who chose to migrate into the states. The people back in Mexico viewed them as heroes who had decided to make tremendous sacrifices in an attempt to take care of their families. This kind of commitment to the wellbeing of the family was therefore what defined men from the respondents’ perspective.
Discussion
Major concerns
Through the conversations that the researcher had with the respondents, certain fears were clearly expressed by the LDLs. According to them, the sensed of being masculine was overcome by the idea of having abandoned their families. The ones that had left families back in Mexico were especially troubled at the thought of being successful but losing their position in the family. Given the distance, there was a probability of the families being able to cope without them, meaning that they would be replaced as the heads of the families. This sense of abandonment meant that they would not play their masculine role of bringing up their children as their parents had done. There was, therefore, a conflict between the “providing man” and the “family man”.
Another major concern among the LDLs was the inability to live up to the standards set for men in the society. Their identity or masculinity was, therefore, an aspect that was delicately balanced. Despite the fact that their entry into America was a show of strength, there was a threat of failing to live up to the expectations. Given the form of discrimination they faced, especially regarding job opportunities, the LDLs were scared that they were not performing their masculine role. The employers in some cases did not expect to see any form of physical weaknesses, compelling the portrayal of the masculine nature. Some admitted to having bouts of depression and being nervous. The implication here is that the Mexican LDLs were forced to come of ways of coping with this kind of pressure.
The coping mechanisms applied by the LDLs in response to the assault to their identities as men are what breed the negative outcomes. Given the internal struggles the LDLs undergo, they are forced to portray a different outward identity. The outer identity is meant to prove that the man is living up to the masculine standards or responsibility. To the outside world, therefore, the men present a hyper-male appearance, which is a faulty reflection of what is happening. The ways through which this appearance is often portrayed results to negative outcomes for the individuals . To the outside world, it is expected for a Mexican man to be tough and hard working. This expression can also be viewed as a means of boosting the self-esteem of individuals against the backdrop of having failed in the masculine expectations .
The masculinity concept in regards to the Mexican LDLs leads to the trials made by individuals to regain the lost masculine power. These reactionary activities are mostly alienated and are part of the negative outcomes of masculinity. For instance, many Mexican men have been accused of being involved in gang activity. This situation can be explained as an attempt to live up to the expectations of the society. To this end, gang activity makes the individuals be prone to aggressive behavior and even involvement in murder cases
According to research, many Latino men begin to engage in this activity during their teenage years once they are socialized to masculinity. Given that some of them come from disjointed families and lack good role models, they view violence as the only way to meet their needs. This situation explains the high rate of incarceration and involvement in many forms of criminal activity.
The Mexican men are also reported to engage in intimate partner violence. This comes as a result of an attempt to regain the lost power within the family set up. Masculinity in this context requires for a man to be the provider and the head of the family. Once they fail in this expectation, they may result in maladaptive techniques to state their supremacy and maintain the socially accorded power . Besides, the conflict of trying to negotiate two cultures among LDLs may result to their engagement in cases of substance abuse.
Conclusion
This study establishes that there is a link between masculinity and the negative experiences by the Mexican LDLs. Using a sample of 10 LDLs, the research looked into the perceptions that the men had had towards masculinity. The interviews conducted gave a clear picture of how these men were socialized to view thei9r role in the family and the society. Through the research results and a review of the literature on this topic, the researcher established that the social construct of masculinity of the Mexican man resulted in negative outcomes for the LDLs. Given the societal expectation, the men engage in maladaptive strategies that result to aspects such substance use involvement in gang activity and violence. All this is done to live up to the socially set masculine standard.
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