The Myth of Macho Dominance in Decision Making Within Mexican and Chicano Families

Abstract

The patriarchal Hispanic family structure characterized by macho dominance in marital decision making is a myth which prevails in social science literature. This myth, which is perpetuated and disseminated through impressionistic essays, is very compatible with the “social deficit” model of Hispanic family life and culture. Our conclusion—based on an intensive analysis of four major studies on marital decision making within Mexican and Chicano families—is that the available data fail to substantiate the hypothesis of Mex ican and/or Chicano male dominance in marital decision making. © 1979, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.