Introduction
Like most families, a Hispanic family is a unit that is undergoing tremendous change. Modern education, economic dynamics, as well as an outside influence are some of the factors that have affected the character of the Hispanic family. This change in the family setup has led to the change in the role of the Hispanic male. This report utilizes available information to provide a credible view on the role of the Hispanic male. The transitions through time are captured through a historical survey of how the Hispanic male used to serve his community; his current or present role and a futuristic view of what his role might be in the years to come. The rights and freedoms that the Hispanic male are investigated. The restrictions and the victories are covered in this report too.
The findings
The Hispanic Male before the Nineteenth Century
The traditional Hispanic male was the head of the family. His general behavior is appropriately described by the word machismo (Stevens 59).In other cultures, especially in Europe, Africa, and Asia, a macho man is ferocious and domineering. He asserts his authority in a brutal and arrogant way. But this is not the case when it comes to Hispanic culture. The macho Hispanic man was caring and responsible. He tended the fields and provided for the family. The hard work that required physical strength was his. The family’s security was in the hands of the Hispanic male while the woman acted as the teacher of the children (Stevens 75). She ensured that they were clean and well-fed. The Hispanic male also represented the family in any function. All significant family positions on issues were determined by him, and the female or wife would not make any decision or take any action without consulting with the male. Young Hispanic males who were still in their parents’ care also performed physically challenging tasks compared to the females. They worked the fields with the fathers and took care of livestock. Also, leadership positions were the preserve of males in the Hispanic social structure.
The leadership both within and without the family were considered rights. His freedoms included getting more than one wife and reporting home late without being questioned. Restrictions placed on him included making advances at married women as well as marrying more women than he would support.
The Role of the Modern Hispanic Male
Modern times are characterized by academic education, widespread movement of people, and more interaction. This interaction occurs among Hispanics themselves as well as between Hispanics and other ethnic communities. With all these factors, the present role of the Hispanic male is different from what it used to be six or seven decades ago. It is however important to note that the difference is not a big one. This is because some roles have largely remained unchanged. In fact, some have been reinforced. The Hispanic male is still expected to be the head of the family. This is especially true in the setting of a marriage between a man and a woman. This is one of the roles that has been reinforced as a result of interaction with the outside world (Raffaeli & Ontai 293). The discovery that other cultures also consider the man to be the head of the family has engendered more confidence in the Hispanic family structure as far as this role is concerned. He speaks on behalf of the family, ensures that the children have access to education, healthcare as well as shelter. He also keeps the family safe from intruders who may be out to harm them.
Apart from the above, the Hispanic male offers leadership in the community. Most leadership positions in the Hispanic community are held by males. There is a small number of females who have managed to get to leadership positions but it is still a monumental challenge for them. Young Hispanic males are brought up knowing that they are supposed to assume the roles fulfilled by their fathers. This makes them strive to be successful as a way of getting more ability to fulfill these often challenging roles (McGoldrick, Giordano & Pearce 11-15).In terms of rights and freedoms, the issue of entitlement to leadership is not the preserve or right of the male anymore. There is also the possibility of restriction from the female partner in relationships such as marriage on the number of women he can marry. The economic aspect is a restrictive force too.
Any shifts?
In my research, I discovered that there is a shift in the performance of these roles. As more women gain access to education, it is sometimes possible to find a family in which the man is not employed while the woman is employed. In this case, the roles take a shift (Raffaelli & Ontai 290-292). The woman becomes the provider for the family. She is the one who goes to work every day and brings her earnings at the end of the month for the payment of such utilities as rent, electricity, and tuition for the children.
Future Expectations on the Role of the Hispanic male
With the cultural interaction that is being witnessed, the effects of academic education, and economic challenges, it is expected that more women will get out there to try and earn an extra income for the family. This will mean more changed roles of the Hispanic male.
Conclusion
From the findings, it is evident that the Hispanic male played a significant role in the family in early times. These roles have begun changing due to the effects of academic education, cultural interaction, and economic challenges. All these factors are likely to shift the role for the Hispanic male even to a higher degree. The privileges such as leadership in the family and community that were treated as rights are not there anymore. Restrictions on family size are more visible from both economic problems and the liberated women who have a say on the number of women their husbands can marry in modern times.
Works cited
Hispanic Family Initiative. Family is Forever: Impacting Families across America 2009.Web.
McGoldrick, Monica; Giordano, Joe; & Pearce, John. eds. Ethnicity and Family Therapy, 2nd edition. New York: Guilford Press.1996.Print.
Raffaelli, Marcela. Ontai,Lenna. “Gender Socialization in Latino/Latina Families: Results from Two Retrospective Studies.” Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 50 (2004): 287-299.Print.
Stevens, Evelyn. “Machismo and Marianismo.” Society 10(4) (1973):57–63.Print.