Feminist Ideals in Latin American literature and history

The image of the woman in Latin America culture is one that has traditionally been quite askew from reality and ultimately alienating. Unlike the American feminine mystique, which was a media creation, the conceptualization of women in Latin American culture is one that is deeply engrained in the consciousness of Latin people. It is commonly referred to as marianismo, or "Mary-ism" referring to the idea that women must reflect the Catholic ideal of the Virgin Mary. This combined with machismo; an ideology that supposes men rigidly defines males' roles in the culture, served to be a great…