This Diploma Thesis focuses on the sexuality education in the public schools of Nicaragua. Comprehensive sexuality education constitutes a system of medical and educational methods, which help to teach broad number of aspects of human sexuality. The materials for the study were gathered during a student internship in Nicaragua between February-March, 2018. The answers of all 200 participants were processed in Statistica. The results of the research illustrate a common attitude toward the need to implement more sexuality education content (81% of the respondents). It emphasizes the role of teachers and family members in adolescents` formation. As stated by 31% of the students, abstinence is taught foremost, and as the primary method of sexually transmitted diseases prevention. Furthermore, a relationship between gender and educational information was found; women are taught about abstinence more than men, 37% of women did not know about other methods of contraception except the abstinence. While the relationship between religiosity and sexual awareness is not relevant. The research also shows that most of the respondents (98%) are confident about their decisions on sexuality matters. and have a strong opinion on their sexual behaviour.

This thesis examines the Alberto Korda Guerrillero Heroico image within the realm of U.S. Latino/a fiction. Drawing from several trends that constitute Latino/a identity as either resistant to white mainstream hegemonies, or as a performative construct, I argue that a collective Hispanic identity is found somewhere between these two extremes. Corporate discourses have perpetuated stereotypes of Latino masculinity to limit any alternate and nuanced portrayal of Latinidad. Specifically, I posit that the corporate use of the Che photograph illustrates Latin men as hypermasculine, limiting Latin-ness to a performance of its mainstream depiction. To combat the commercialization of the print, the novel Loving Che imagines new possibilities for the Hispanic community and its relationship to the U.S. market, challenging the idea of a pan-Latino/a identity with archival photographis of the comandante. Together, both texts bridge performative and resistant trends, providing a potential Latinidad that resists and eludes corporate hegemonies. / by Johanna Ayala-Walsh. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 170-174). / v, 174 leaves, bound 29 cm

This thesis examined how four Male Mexican American post-undergraduate college students constructed their views on what it means “to be a man”. The method of oral histories not only for it’s power but also for its ability to offer a different perspective than that given by theory. Oral histories offer a rich perspective that has the power to challenge dominant narratives. The thesis was set up to reflect the way that the past informs the future. Through beginning with the history of U.S.-Mexico border relations via NAFTA, the Bracero Program, and the Border Patrol, one grasps the contentious relationship between the two countries and is introduced to the idea of pluarlities. Due to the relationship of labor to masculinity, theories on masculinity, machismo, and macho were discussed. The last two chapters centered on the oral histories of each man. “Origins,” the third chapter examined the “history” behind each orator. Finally chapter four, examined what masculinity, machismo, macho, and “being a man” is to each man. It is through this foregrounding in theory that one is able to better understand lived experiences. Through the combining of both theory and lived experiences, one is able to see the both the disconnect and overlap between the two. Although the responses ranged on what it “means to be a man” if you could essentialize it, there were are few themes that reappeared. “To be a Man” is about taking responsibility for your actions, being there for one’s family, and having honor. The range of responses only goes to highlight the complexities of even one term and each term could certainly warrant its own dissertation. Based on my brief research, there is still much work to be done on each area of focus.

For decades LGBTQ rights have been approached purely by a legal strategy, in particular advocating for the legalization of same-sex marriage. However, discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ community continues to be a major issue in Latin America because of cultural values such as Catholicism and machismo that uphold a standard of and, in turn, have control over people’s sexuality. Using a human rights approach towards the politics of sexuality, LGBTI activists in Costa Rican and Nicaragua have been successful in transforming public opinion about sexuality and more importantly, sexual diversity. As a result of their egalitarian framework and efforts to educate people about sexual diversity, they have made great advancements toward achieving acceptance and equality for LGBTI people. This study focuses on how Costa Rican and Nicaraguan LGBTI activists have worked around traditional cultural values such as Catholicism and machismo that prevent people from accepting and tolerating LGBTI people. The examples of LGBTI activists in these two countries have important implications for other LGBTI activists and the strategies they use to try to achieve full equality (social and legal) for people whose sexual identity differs from the conventional.

Objective: Male-to-male sexual contact is the most common mode of transmission for HIV among Latino men. Psychosocial factors such as machismo, homophobic discrimination, and internalized homophobia have been hypothesized to greatly impact sexual behaviors among Latinos. However, studies investigating the relationship between these psychosocial factors and risky sexual behaviors are limited. This study examined the impact of machismo on risky sexual behaviors among Latino Male who have Sex with Men (MSM).Methods: This study utilized data collected from 254 Latino MSM in 1999 from selected cities within Virginia. The analysis focused on respondent demographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, acculturation, and sexual risky behaviors. Composite measures for acculturation, machismo, internalized homophobia, and sexual discrimination were created by combining sets of relevant questions. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used and odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.Results: The study found a statistically significant relationship between machismo and HIV/STD sexual risk behaviors. Latino MSM with high machismo values were over four times more likely to engage in HIV/STD sexual risk behaviors compared to those with low machismo values (OR=5.53,95%CI =1.85-16.47). In contrast, HIV/STD sexual risk behaviors were not significantly associated with acculturation, discrimination, or homophobia.Conclusions: Machismo is a significant risk factor for HIV and STD sexual risk behaviors in Latino MSM. Culturally competent messaging and appropriate skill building opportunities addressing machismo values should be incorporated into HIV and STD prevention programs that target Latino MSM.

The purpose of this study ­is to identify social workers’ perspectives on the barriers and motivating factors impacting Latino men in seeking mental health services, and to seek ways to overcome the barriers. Research has established that Latino men suffer from mental health problems at a similar rate compared to other populations, yet they underutilize mental health services. Given the rapid growth of the Latino population that continues to need mental health services, the findings of this study may influence the social work field to develop programs and interventions that are geared towards encouraging Latino men to seek services. They may also assist in preparing clinicians entering the field. This qualitative study used individual interviews as a tool to find themes from social workers’ point of views on the subject. The results from interviews were transcribed to written document. Major themes identified include barriers, motivating factors, and recommendations for change.

Chile is one of the many countries in Latin America affected by machismo (Torres et al 2002, p. 163-164). In the year of 2017 the Me Too-movement sparked a fire in Chilean media and the feminist movement grew bigger and stronger. These movements affected many institutions, organizations and industries. The journalism industry being one of them. The purpose of this study is to investigate how female journalists in Chile perceive themselves, these movements and their journalistic roles in the context of a country affected by machismo and movements trying to fight it. To investigate these themes a qualitative approach has been used by conducting semi-structured interviews with eight female Chilean journalists that are currently working or have worked in broadcasting. The theoretical background of this study is based on the Hierarchy of Influences model by Pamela J. Shoemaker and Stephen D. Reese (2016), which has been combined with the concept of journalistic role perceptions by Thomas Hanitzsch and Tim P. Vos (2018). The results indicated that the majority of the women interviewed had positive opinions towards the Me Too- and feminist movements in Chile, and that these movements have also had a positive impact on Chilean society and the journalism industry. And so the effects have also been visible in the women's private and professional lives. Even though machismo and harmful patriarchal norms have been and is a part of their lives, the social structures have not gotten in the way of them feeling strong, fighting for their rights, and other women's rights in the industry. Machismo and the movements have all played important parts in how these women have taken on their journalistic roles.

En Ciudad Juárez, el estado de Chihuahua en el norte de México, hay desde los años 1990 un problema con el fenómeno conocido como feminicidio, homicidios de mujeres y niñas con motivos de género. Entre enero del año 1993 y septiembre del año 2005, hubieron al menos 372 homicidios de mujeres registrados en el estado de Chihuahua. A pesar de investigaciones y recomendaciones realizadas sobre este problema de la ciudad siguen siendo asesinadas mujeres y niñas. Las autoridades se encuentran, al parecer, en una situación sin solución. Mientras tanto es problemático el concepto del feminicidio, ya que en la realidad es difícil clasificar qué es la violencia de género y la relación entre los dos conceptos. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo discutir el problema del feminicidio en Ciudad Juárez, y el contexto en el cual ocurre. Se utiliza un método cualitativo, y se hace uso de fuentes secundarias, tal como investigaciones previas hechas sobre el tema. La investigación tiene como objetivo indagar y discutir el problema del feminicidio en Ciudad Juárez para obtener una mejor comprensión de lo que sucede en la ciudad. Para hacer esto se han presentado dos preguntas de investigación que se pretende contestar, partiendo del contexto en lo cual ocurre la violencia de género de Ciudad Juárez, tal como a qué se debe la violencia de género que ocurre en la ciudad. El estudio incluye el período desde 1993 y 2012 y está delimitado a la región de Ciudad Juárez, México. Se ha llegado a la conclusión que existe en la ciudad un clima de exclusión y de una desigualdad. La desigualdad se manifiesta en el poder injustamente repartido en la sociedad, debido a prioridad a intereses económicos transnacionales y globales, así como una desigualdad entre los géneros.

Attitudes of machismo are essential components of Costa Rican culture and traditions. This study examines how these attitudes manifest themselves in Costa Ricans' opinions regarding various gender role issues. Male and female Costa Ricans, both urban and rural, between the ages of 5 and 10, 15 and 25, and 60 plus were asked questions regarding gender role issues. The age category of children ages 5 to 10 revealed the least machismo as the age category of adolescents ages 15 to 25 revealed the most. Rural and urban localities appeared to make no difference. Males revealed more attitudes of machismo than did females but not significantly more overall. / Department of Anthropology