An approach to colonial violence and the construction of plural masculinities

Abstract

Masculinity is defined in historical sources not as an inherent biological identity, but as a dynamic social and cultural construct subject to constant change. According to Raewyn Connell, masculinity is a configuration of practice within a system of gender relations that is integrated into organized social relations and economic structures. Therefore, there is no single way to be a man; the existence of multiple masculinities is recognized, which vary according to the era, culture, and individuals. The aim of this paper is to provide a historical and theoretical description of masculinities, using hegemonic masculinity as its central focus. To this end, the paper employs a bibliographic and documentary review methodology that encompasses everything from the fundamental theories of the 1980s and 1990s to the contemporary perspectives of key authors such as Connell, Kimmel, Kaufman, Segato, and Hook. Machismo was found to be a central concept in the region, originating in Spanish colonization and marked by racial hierarchies and sexual violence. However, recent research suggests that it also possesses invisible dimensions such as honor and responsibility.