REALITIES
Machismo: Struggles of Peruvian Women Dating Domestically
Machismo is a common concern among Latina women who are eager to build romantic relationships with local men.
Dating domestically isn’t similar from one Latin country to another, since the different degrees of gender inequality of each country are still a suppressing issue that needs to be addressed.
But what exactly is machismo?
According to Oxford Bibliographies, machismo is a Spanish term for masculinity. However, this term is considered a systemic issue, directly associated with toxic masculinity and lack of reform in the legislature.
Peru, in particular, has been experiencing the negativities and challenges that lie within the machismo culture.
Domestic violence and gender bias are two primary predicaments that most Peruvian women face, especially those who live in rural areas.
Yes, the number of women in the larger cities of Peru who experience such dilemmas may significantly decrease, but Peruvian women still find it hard to progress when they’re romantically connected with a Peruvian man.
It’s supposed to be convenient for most women in Peru to mingle with their fellow countrymen because they share similar cultures, traditions, and practices. But building romantic connections with local men seems to be difficult for them.
That’s why some women in Peru prefer to date men outside their race because they believe that foreign men are better at treating women the right way.
As such, here are some of the struggles Peruvian women face when dating domestically, as influenced by machismo culture.
They feel inferior in the relationship.
The ideology of machismo in Peru that men should maintain bravery and superiority in relationships reduces women’s value. This kind of mentality creates a relationship divide because women are not expected to express conviction on what they stand for.
With that being said, women’s inferiority is possible when dating domestically. If it continues until the relationship becomes official, they’re afraid that they will no longer be able to voice out their struggles.
They are not given equal rights.
Peruvian men and women have huge differences in rights and privileges. In terms of social standing, men have more value and are given more opportunities than women.
A lot of women can’t voice out their experience of domestic violence because they’re not as educated as men. Some are insulted and abused by their partners, which leads them to think that they have done something wrong.
According to the United Nations, only 56.3% of Peruvian women have finished at least secondary education, compared to 66.1% of men. UNESCO also found that 17.5% of females in Peru are illiterate, compared to 6.3% of males.
Peruvian women are not given equal access to something that helps them achieve their highest potential, affecting their chances at choosing an ideal life partner.
They are not legally secure.
Combating violence against women in Peru is supported by several implemented laws. In fact, the term femicide was expanded in 2011, which now includes violence executed by a woman’s ex-partner.
However, these laws have had no impact on reducing, if not eradicating, the femicide rates in Peru. In 2019, Peru tallied 99 murders of women, in which the primary suspect is usually their current partner or an ex.
Now, if there are no laws that would perpetually protect Peruvian women from intimate partner violence, they will never dare to commit to someone who has the potential to abuse them.
They are prone to abuse.
Machismo in Peruvian men often misleads them to cause abusive treatment towards their romantic partners.
In 2016, Peru tallied 46% of femicide victims who are also victims of violence. There was also an increase in the number of women, from 121 in 2017 to 149 in 2018, who were murdered and reported to be victims of domestic abuse.
These figures can justify why Peruvian women find it difficult to be romantically involved with local men. Domestic abuse and gender-based violence make women in Peru hesitant and apprehensive to get into romantic relationships.
Exaggerated Masculinity Needs to STOP
Two of the several factors that shape machismo or exaggerated masculinity are race and culture. As such, this trait provides power to men in ruling the society, even though some of their actions are not morally righteous.
Since machismo is highly influenced by race and culture, there is a slight chance that men will suffer mentally if they fail to display enough characteristics of what a man should be.
The American Psychological Association lists down the adverse effects of machismo on men’s mental health. They are:
- depression
- body image issues
- poor social function
- substance abuse
- stress
Peruvian women, including other women who suffer from male dominance, deserve better, and men should learn to shift towards something beneficial rather than sticking to a culture that has obviously been taken out of hand.
Peruvian Women Deserve a Great Love Story
The underlying concerns of machismo can’t be immediately removed from history because at some point, this trait has been tolerated and even celebrated.
No woman in Peru or any part of the world deserves to be physically and mentally abused just because of the idea that men should possess dominance in the relationship and women’s only job is to please them.
The recurrence of domestic violence and gender bias is reason enough for Peruvian women to try international dating with the hope of meeting the right partner.
Women in Peru and other parts of the world deserve to experience a great love story because genuinely loving their partner is what women are best known for. Aside from that, Peruvian women are the epitome of loyalty and kindness.
If a Peruvian woman chooses to date a man, she will consider the times they have spent together and how comfortable she is with him. So if that happens, she will have little to no reason to look for a better partner.
Also, women in Peru show their kindness through their actions and service towards you. They will make sure that they can provide whatever is needed for the connection to remain strong and lasting.
These are only a few of the reasons why Peruvian women deserve more than being belittled in their relationships. As long as you treat them right and love them sincerely, they will choose to stay with you no matter what.
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