Sexist mentality, parenting styles and social vulnerability in primary caregivers. A cross-cultural comparison between Argentina and Peru

Abstract

Introduction: the macho mentality is a phenomenon that persists in the Latin American population; however, the factors that generate it are not clear. Therefore, the study is carried out with the objective of analyzing the macho mentality, based on factors such as parental styles and social vulnerability; and comparing according to country of origin: Argentina and Peru, respectively. Method: the sample consisted of 389 (M.age = 35.87, SD = 10.13) primary caregivers of children and adolescents from 4 to 16 (M.age = 9.33, SD = 4.66, fe-minine = 196) years of age from different regions of Peru and Argentina. The instruments used were the Machismo subscale of the Multiphasic Evaluation of Cultures (MACC-SF), the Spanish Adaptation of the Parental Upbringing Questionnaire, and an ad-hoc sociodemographic record, which were all applied through social networks using a Google® form. Results: in both sam-ples, the levels of machismo are relatively low, although the Argentine sample presented lower levels of machismo and more positive parenting habits compared to that of Peru. In turn, a negative association was found between machismo and parenting styles, with greater intensity in the dimensions: satisfaction with parenting and discipline. Finally, machismo was negatively associated with social vulnerability and parenting styles. Conclusions: macho beliefs would be associated with a lower socioeconomic level and more authoritarian and inflexible parenting styles, which are also governed by their traditions and a cultural legacy of conservatism in comparison to more flexible and democratic cultures.