The 5 Differences Between Machismo and Misogyny

Both machismo and misogyny are phenomena related to sexism and that harm massive amounts of women. However, it is advisable not to confuse these terms, since although they refer to phenomena that have some similarities, they cannot be used as if they were synonyms.

So, throughout this article We will see the main differences between misogyny and machismo as well as the way in which their manifestations and their harmful effects on people differ.

Differences between misogyny and machismo

Until not so long ago, the problems derived from sexism were practically invisible to public opinion. Cases of direct violence could be commented on and punished in those cases in which some norm was violated, but a reflection on the social and historical phenomenon was not generated. related to the situation of subjugation of women In recent decades, however, this has changed, and that is why it is currently so common to hear about machismo and hatred of women (or misogyny) in countries with Western culture and in many others.

However, although both machismo and misogyny tell us about different types of violence directed towards the feminine in general and women in particular, they have a different nature and are also noticed in a different way. Let’s see it.

1. One is based on hate, the other is not

By definition, misogyny is always based on hatred of women, while machismo does not have to be based on this. In fact, the latter is based not so much on specific feelings directed towards women, but on the whole a series of relational dynamics that have been normalized over the centuries and that are considered normal, devoid of any emotional component.

Thus, one of the characteristics of machismo is that it is experienced as something natural, related to objective truth and realism, through statements such as “everyone knows that women need a man.”

In this type of beliefs there is not always an element that allows us to identify whether the person who holds them feels sympathy or antipathy for the woman for the simple fact of being one, while in misogyny the opposite is true: the attitude can be known. of acceptance or rejection of the feminine.

2. Misogyny is an individual phenomenon

Unlike machismo, which has to do with an entire system of material and ideological domination over women that has been transmitted from generation to generation, misogyny is relatively individual.

While machismo has been present in practically all people, misogyny It is something more exceptional, of rather isolated appearance However, it does have a slight social component, since the very fact that femininity can define how we perceive an individual (a woman) has to do with the gender roles attributed by society, very present from birth.

3. Machismo can take the form of kindness

It is perfectly possible to be sexist and care a lot about women feeling comfortable and living well. This is because machismo is not always based on contempt or the desire to harm someone in particular; also can appear through paternalism and condescension

Of course, this does not imply that those who are sexist and wish the best for women do not harm them through their actions; but he will not be aware of it, since he will see what he does as justified “for the good” of the other person, as he is less capable of deciding what he wants and has less criteria to understand what happens (according to the beliefs of the person who does it). treated as a non-independent person).

4. Misogyny usually leads to alienation

As a general rule, those who feel hatred for a certain group try not to expose themselves too much to it. This principle is relatively difficult to apply when the group of people who hate each other makes up approximately half of the human population, but despite this, those who experience misogyny They prefer to interact with men reducing his interactions with women to a minimum.

On the other hand, machismo does not have to lead to this, since its existence is totally independent of the attitudes of acceptance and rejection towards the feminine.

5. Machismo is a historical phenomenon

The very existence of machismo is related to gender roles and the strong identification we make between a person’s sex and their functions in society, something that can be modified by changing political, economic and cultural elements. Instead, misogyny has many different causes and the only common denominator on which their cases are based has to do with the importance of gender when identifying people.

Where there is a strong element of identification to which we attribute a lot of meaning (religion, race, nationality, etc.), there may be material from which to develop misgivings or even hatred due to generalization.