Machismo in Latinx Culture: Understanding the Toxic Masculinity

Latinx culture is known for being resilient and rooted in centuries of history. Like many cultures, long-standing gender norms can be problematic. Expectations about gender roles shape your life and relationships, sometimes without you even realizing it. One of the most influential and impactful of them is machismo culture, a social code prevalent in Latinx communities that’s as celebrated as it is critiqued. 

Some effects of machismo are viewed in a positive light, like being protective and strong. Others like dominance, emotional repression, and homophobia, are deeply harmful. Keep reading to explore machismo and mental health​ in the Latino culture. We’re looking at how it affects you and your loved ones and how you can challenge or redefine it.

What is Machismo Culture?

In Latinx culture, there are several traits associated with machismo, including stoicism, hypermasculinity, dominance, and protectiveness. Machismo isn’t just a word or label. It’s a set of unwritten rules about what “being a man” means in many Latinx families. It can be the idea that “real men don’t cry.” It can mean that men are the decision-makers or that brothers, fathers, and uncles are the protectors. Expectations about what it means to be a Latinx man have been passed down for generations. Today, they’re still being reinforced by media, stories, and even religious teachings. 

Machismo in Hispanic culture​ didn’t just appear overnight. It’s woven into centuries of colonial, Catholicism, and patriarchal history. Latinx men are often portrayed in movies, shows, and telenovelas as tough, in control, and rarely vulnerable. At the same time, mothers, daughters, and other women are expected to be nurturers and caretakers. 

It’s important to look at how machismo intersects with nationalism or cultural identity. For many, being “macho” is more than gender roles. It represents culture, family, and community. When expectations become too rigid and stifling, though, they can limit self-expression. 

The Double Standard: Machismo vs. Marianismo

In addition to machismo, there’s another traditional ideology that’s dominant in Latinx culture: marianismo. Modeled after the Virgin Mary, marianismo idealizes women as pure, self-sacrificing, and submissive beings. 

This role also plays out in many Latinx homes, where mothers are expected to put everyone’s needs before their own. In relationships, women are expected to forgive and forget any and all transgressions. Religion reinforces this idea further, holding the image of a “perfect woman” as one who embodies a saint, never complains, and doesn’t question authority. 

These double standards limit personal expression and well-being for all genders, not just females. Being told that your worth is tied to a role you must play is suffocating, on both sides. It makes expressing yourself, your needs, your feelings, and your dreams impossible. It can also make setting healthy boundaries in relationships difficult. 

Although patterns of machismo in Hispanic culture​ have deep roots, it doesn’t mean things can’t change. Understanding how and why they should is the first step.

The Harmful Effects of Machismo in Latinx Culture

We can’t talk about mental health in Hispanic culture without addressing machismo. Feeling pressured to hide your true self or emotions, or being afraid to ask for help because of machismo, is dangerous.

The mental health toll on men

Machismo in Latinx culture discourages men from expressing emotion, causing mental health challenges like depression and high stress levels that can be devastating. In 2020, the suicide death rate for Hispanic males was 4.4 times higher than it was for women.

Growing up, you might have been taught that showing emotion is a sign of weakness and you should “tough it out” or “man up” when you feel scared or sad. The pressure to suppress your feelings can take a toll, though.

Machismo​ can result in anger, family dysfunction, depression, and even substance use or misuse. Trying to meet the expectation that you must be the sole provider and pillar of strength for your family can be overwhelming.  

“When guys are taught that showing emotions makes them ‘less of a man,’ it can really mess with their mental health. They might start to bottle up their feelings, thinking they have to be tough all the time. But holding everything in can lead to stuff like depression, anxiety, or even problems with relationships, because they never learn how to deal with what they’re really feeling.”

– Talkspace therapist Famous Erwin LMHC, LPC

Impact on women and non-binary people

Women and non-binary individuals who face machismo ideology are more likely to have controlling partners and parent figures and to encounter violence and exclusion. Some studies found that almost 44% of women in Mexico have been subjected to violence from an intimate partner, and an incredible 66.6% will face violence at some point in their lifetime. According to research, they’re also more prone to depression, loneliness, and despair.

Rigid gender expectations have a negative impact on other marginalized populations, too. Research shows that queer, trans, and non-binary Latinx individuals are often rejected for not living up to traditional gender expectations within their culture.

How machismo affects family dynamics

There’s a phrase often used in Latinx homes: “Los hombres no lloran,” or “men don’t cry.” The concept of “just be a man” is more than a phrase, though. It’s a lesson that shapes your identity from a very young age. If you grew up being rewarded for your tough identity and punished for showing vulnerability, you likely learned to hide parts of yourself that you associated with weakness. 

“Sometimes people feel stuck between doing what’s best for their mental health and not wanting to upset their family. They might worry that speaking up or setting boundaries makes them seem disrespectful or like they don’t care about their culture. It’s really hard to change things without feeling like you’re letting people down.”

– Talkspace therapist Famous Erwin LMHC, LPC

Machismo in Hispanic culture​ is reinforced later in life, too. It can shape your life as a parent, in adult relationships, and even in the patterns passed down to future generations. You might realize you’ve begun to repeat patterns you wanted to break. You may struggle with the idea of honoring your family while yearning for something different. 

Learning how to deal with machismo and healing from its impact can be difficult, but it is possible. You can start by identifying how the machismo message shaped you. 

Challenging and Redefining Latinx Masculinity

To challenge and redefine Latinx masculinity, you need to be willing to show vulnerability. It can feel strange, and maybe even wrong, but being able to express yourself and your emotions is essential. 

You’ve been taught your whole life that this type of openness isn’t “manly,” so it makes sense if you feel alone as you try to make changes in your life. It can help to know that many people in the Latinx community today are actively working to redefine the concept of masculinity. They’re creating safe spaces to talk about gender, mental health, and how to deal with machismo. 

Embracing vulnerability and emotional expression

You don’t have to reject your culture to reshape what masculinity means to you. You’re simply exploring a new way of thinking about what it means to be a man. It’s OK to worry that seeking therapy, leaning on men’s mental health tips, or being open about your struggles with family and peers might make you look weak, but being vulnerable is courageous. You’re allowing yourself to feel, need, and ask for support. Reaching out for help is a sign of resilience and self-respect. 

“I would gently affirm that seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength and self-awareness. I remind clients that true courage comes from facing your inner world, not avoiding it. Choosing to care for your mental health is one of the most powerful ways to lead yourself and others with integrity and emotional maturity.”

– Talkspace therapist Famous Erwin LMHC, LPC

Community-led change

Cultural change happens through community effort. Fortunately, Latinx communities around the globe are starting the conversations about gender, healing, mental health, and the harmful effects of machismo on everyone. You can find support and inspiration through:

• Movimiento Manifiesto: Promotes healthier ideas of masculinity across Latin America.
• Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe contra la Violencia hacia las Mujeres: A network working to end gender violence.
• Marcela Lagarde (Mexico): A powerful feminist leader reshaping conversations about gender roles and power.
• Julieta Paredes (Bolivia): An indigenous feminist and activist challenging traditional gender norms.

These groups and leaders are helping challenge norms and cultural identities for a healthier, more inclusive future.

The role of allies and families

Whatever your role is in your family, you have an opportunity to help break the cycle of machismo. Even small changes can have a big impact. Encourage open conversations, validate others’ feelings, and challenge the stereotypes you once believed. Things won’t change overnight, but every step you take and every effort you make counts. 

It can be challenging to support loved ones who question or reject traditional gender roles. With empathy and respect, however, you can do your part in creating a safe and inclusive environment for you and those you care about. Be patient with yourself and others.

Reclaiming Identity and Healing with Support

Unlearning machismo doesn’t mean turning your back on your culture, roots, or family. It means you’re redefining what masculinity means in your life, on your own terms. You can decide what strength and leadership mean to you. Maybe you decide to be more present with your children, parents, or siblings. You might learn to set healthy family boundaries. Or perhaps you finally give yourself permission to heal from your past. Therapy can help you do it. 

Seeking help, especially when it comes to mental health, is a sign of self-respect, not a weakness. Talkspace can connect you with a therapist who understands the cultural context of machismo in Latino culture. Online therapy is a convenient, effective, and affordable way to navigate the complexities of cultural beliefs and value systems. 

Overcoming machismo isn’t about being perfect or getting it right all the time. It’s about choosing freedom, connecting with others, and finding self-compassion. Explore culturally sensitive therapy today at Talkspace. 

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