The 6 differences between Machismo and Patriarchy (explained)

It may cause doubts to cite the differences between machismo and patriarchy, since in general terms Both represent discrimination against the female gender.. But the nature of each term as well as the factors they imply are different.

When we speak of patriarchy we refer to a social group or a society, that is, a group of people who share some ideas, values, beliefs, customs that support the supremacy of men and give women certain functions, thus depriving them of the freedom to to choose. For its part, machismo responds to attitudes or behaviors that discriminate against women and that individuals can exercise.

In this way, since these social models and macho behaviors are still present and as is obvious, these differences between the sexes do not have any type of validity, it is necessary to be aware of them and act whenever we perceive that, on our part or in our environment, these occur. discriminations.

In this article we define the concepts of machismo and patriarchy, we point out the main differences between the two terms and we give you some tips or strategies to deal with them and achieve the change.

• We recommend you read: "15 examples of micromachisms in everyday life (and how to identify them)"

What do we understand by machismo? And why patriarchy?

Although the terms machismo and patriarchy may seem similar, they are not synonymous and cannot be used interchangeably. Machismo is defined as an attitude, thought or behavior that places men above women, as a superior being. For its part, patriarchy is the greatest authority or power that men have in a society or social groups.

We see, then, how in both cases the supremacy of men is supported, the greater power or superiority with respect to women, leaving them submissive or relegated to inferior positions. Even so, there are some differences and characteristics that make them different, being necessary to use each term on different occasions.

Machismo and patriarchy: how are they different?

Now that we know the definition of each concept, it will be easier to understand what their differences are. Below we quote the main distinguishing points between machismo and patriarchy.

1. What is the nature of each term

The difference between the nature of each term is clear, understood as the basis or in which category each concept is classified. In reference to patriarchy, we will talk about the system, understood as a set of powers, specifically the three that make up a state: the judiciary, who applies the law; the legislative, who creates the law and the executive, who follows the law. Instead, machismo is a behavior, a set of ideas, an act or an attitude.

2. Complexity of the concept

Patriarchy is formed by a social group, is a form of society and as such there are norms, values, customs, beliefs, a way of thinking and acting, which in this case will highlight the figure of man above the woman.

On the contrary, as you already know, machismo refers to a behavior that can be more isolated and that does not have because being part of a society or not being representative of the society where this act is observed or performed male chauvinist. We could also consider that a law, a rule or a belief is sexist, it does not necessarily have to be a person.

3. Linked subjects

Thus, the patriarchy will be formed by a set of subjects, a social group or society, who live and share the same beliefs and similar way of acting, where man enjoys a superior power with respect to the woman. For its part, machismo, being considered a more or less isolated act, we will say that it can be carried out by a group of people but also by a single subject who can be both a man and a woman.

In other words, we see how in the case of patriarchy the whole society participates and supports this type of behavior. Instead machismo does not enjoy full acceptance by the different members of society, there may be individuals in the same social group who are sexist and others who are not.

4. Distinction between women

As we have already pointed out, the two concepts place men above women, giving them greater importance and power. Well, patriarchy goes one step further and makes a distinction between the group of women, differentiating between: those who meet the criteria to be considered good women according to the beliefs of this type of society and among those that do not fit in and do not follow the norms established as valid according to the social model.

With this separation and the poor consideration of women who do not meet the standards, this model of society seeks that women themselves face each other, to be the best, even if this means stepping on or leaving other subjects of their groups. In this way, they manage to control them and make them part of the oppressive movement that discriminates against them.

5. As we are part of each other

Bearing in mind the nature of each term, we will consider that a subject when he is born, if he does so in a society patriarchal, becomes part of it, without making any kind of choice, developing and growing in this type of social system. We could say that it is a way of life that is imposed on us or touches us depending on the place where we are born, we do not decide.

For its part, machismo when referring to an attitude or behavior, the subject who exercises it will show a greater possibility of choice. That is to say, in this case it is not something that influences us or appears from a young age, but that the subject builds and develops it progressively as they get older.

6. How did we end both?

Although neither type of discrimination is easy to eradicate, since they are very integrated and rooted in each subject, Since machismo is considered a construction carried out by the individual, we can try to carry out a process or an intervention to manage to deconstruct it, present arguments, facts that help modify their beliefs to make them show a more egalitarian. Every small change is important and should be valued as a triumph.

If we achieve this personal change, that is, at the individual level, it is more likely that at the level of society we will be able to cause destabilization, disagreement with the beliefs, norms and values ​​that they support and thus gradually change the social model, managing to transform the patriarchal society.

How to end machismo and patriarchy

So we see how machismo and patriarchy are still present, for this reason, it is necessary that we continue fighting to end it. This type of thinking, beliefs, behaviors and way of approaching society do not make any sense, since there is no valid reason that justifies the differences between the two sexes.

For example in the case of patriarchy, relegating women to inferior positions and only allowing them to perform one type of function, which would be to be in charge of care, is wasting his potential and man is also required to perform a role that may not be what he would like exercise. In short, it is having repercussions on society as a whole, since it is depriving itself of the capacity and tasks that women could carry out so that the social group could progress.

As with other factors that we want to change, the first step is to be aware of it, to realize of the problem, in this case of the inequality that exists, in order to start working on its modification. Although it is a slow and complicated process, we cannot give up, since change is possible. If we look at the improvement in the situation of women compared to not so many years ago, we realize that evolution is possible.

So that, Although it seems that the change of a single person is insignificant, everything adds upIf we try to improve our environment, what is within our reach, this is already a very important step. Be aware of the different areas in which you participate, such as family, work and social, and try that, at least on your part, discrimination does not occur.

For example, in the family context we will look so that both, father and mother, have the same responsibility and take equal care of the children and the house; In the labor context, we will ensure that both men and women have the same opportunities to get the same job, as well as the same evaluations and rewards; and in the social environment, we will try to denounce all those laws, norms, that are contrary to equality between the sexes.

We see how there is a lot of work to do, but being alert and modifying the small actions that we can find in our day to day, already leads to an improvement. It is just as important to modify our behavior as to act when we see some kind of discrimination, we cannot let them go unpunished, since ignoring them supposes giving them support.