The Machismo and Marianismo Tango

Machismo, the male ideal so specific to Hispanic culture, is complemented by its corollary marianismo, the female ideal. Both are examined in this careful study, along with the Post-Traumatic Stress disorder that so often accompanies - and in fact, overhangs-the lives of the women who have survived the abuse that machismo too often inflicts. The title of this book was inspired by an article in The Observer on Sunday June 27, 2004, by Uki Goni in Buenos Aires. The author talks about the tango of machismo. In a tango the couples glide across the floor, their faces close together, in an intimate embrace. Then one dancer's legs part for the other to fill that void with a quick flick of the foot, a leg action known as the sacada in the language of the tango, a dance that traditionally requires precision movements if the dominant male and compliant female partners are not to trip. This so aptly describes the interaction between machismo and marianismo. It is the hoped that this book will manage to capture a flicker of the world's attention and bring this topic onto our radar screens. The ardent desire of this author is that the attitudes of machismo and marianismo that have pervaded generations will melt away, if not, everywhere, certainly far and wide, and will give place to a disposition of openness and flexibility which eventually will help them to lead happier and more fruitful lives.