How Family Modeled Behaviors Based On Gender Increase Drug Use Among Latinx Adolescents
Most of the ideas and behaviors that we carry have been shaped by the people that have watched us grow into the individuals that we are today, our families. Adolescence is the prime time for an individual to absorb the behaviors that are shown to them by their families. Specific to my research, we will speak on how family structures based on gender have shaped adolescent views towards the usage of alcohol.
Family Modeling
It is important to recognize that every family does have different ways of raising their children but that they can carry similar values that characterize their teaching methods for their young. I say this because Latinx communities tend to have very tight relationships and most of the values and raising methods that they carry have been passed down from generations to generations. That being said, many Latinx families tend to teach their children their views towards alcohol and drug use through the teachings of what it means to be a man and a woman in their communities.
Machismo
Young Latinx men are prominently exposed to the teachings of Machismo. Early on, many young men will find that the teachings of machismo will be a prominent source for their fathers involvement. According to Saki Cabrera Strait, their sons are of pride to them because they are the living definition of their virility. In the research by Kulis, Marsiglia, and Nagoshi, they indicate that the process towards becoming a man includes engaging in antisocial behavior and substance use with high tolerance. If young men are able to obtain these two abilities, they will show to their fathers that they are worthy of their pride and of the title of a “real man.”
Diving further into it, obtaining these unapproachable exteriors and high tolerance for alcohol and other substances allows for that feeling of manliness and power while also providing a grander connection with their fathers as they too find it hard to show emotions due to the antisocial aspect of their teachings.
How does machismo lead to greater dependence on the use of substances?
The teachings of machismo do not include problem-solving skills nor development in self-confidence and this is something that will make it difficult for them to maintain sobriety in the real world. These skills are of extreme importance as those coping mechanisms help them maneuver more efficiently through the challenges that they come across. Without them, they will turn to the only teachings that they were taught: machismo. If they do, alcohol will no longer serve as a source for manliness and pride but will turn into the coping mechanisms that they were never taught. Further engaging in the use of alcohol and drugs, under these stresses, will help them feel comforted and balanced. In the research done by Keith A. King and Rebecca A. Vidourek, found that 55.23% of 947 middle school students had had an interaction with alcohol and they said that they found no harm in doing so because it was culturally acceptable to do so. As long as Latinx Families continue to show this type of support towards the teachings of machismo and the use of alcohol among their young men, the more that they will find their sons to be more susceptible to future addictions.
Marianismo
Marianismo is made up of five pillars: family, virtuous/ chaste, self-silencing, subordinate, and spiritual. According to Sanchez, Vandewater, and Hamilton, each pillar instills in women different teachings. For example, the family pillar educates Latinx women that they are the backbone and that it is their duty to maintain family cohesion. The virtuous/ chaste pillar expects that young women will abstain from sexual interactions until marriage so that they bring no shame to their families. To add, some young women are expected to also practice self-silencing in order to avoid confrontations and discomforts. Many are also taught subordination which forces them to be obedient and respectful to the family depending on the hierarchical family structure. Lastly, women are also expected to help continue the practices of their religion.
How does marianismo lead to greater dependence on the use of substances?
Unlike machismo, marianismo is much more complex because young women are not always taught all of the five pillars. There are many families who instill in their young daughters the positive attributes of marianismo such as familismo, spirituality, virtuous. While other daughters are taught the negative attributes such as subordination and self silencing.
The positive attributes of marianismo allow for young women to be more respectful towards their families and their decisions (Sanchez, Vandewater, and Hamilton, p. 322). Because they care so much for their families they usually are less likely to go out hence less exposure to alcohol. In the research by Cristina Mogro-Wilson, she indicates that the stronger of a relationship that a parent has with their child, the less likely they are to use alcohol and other substances. Their teachings of maintaining chaste is also a protective factor as the expectation that young women maintain “purity” and respect for their bodies may also include maintaining their bodies pure from toxins such as alcohol and drugs.
Contrary, teachings of self-silencing and subordination can lead to future addictions. Self-silencing can lead to the development of mental health issues while subordination can lead to more vulnerability in a situation of peer pressure. This becomes worse when we add the pressures of acculturation into their lives. The United States has become more lenient on the use of alcohol between both genders. Young girls are specifically at risk in this case because the US will offer them more liberties for alcohol and drug use. This exposure allows for less coping mechanisms as many who suffer from mental health issues will find it easy to give into peer pressure and will expose themselves to the comforts of alcohol. This is where the dependence will begin and it will become so much harder for them to maintain sobriety. For young Latinx women it is important for their families to maintain positive reinforcements in their family structures as the negative attributes of their teachings can lead to greater risks of addictions.
References
Cabrera Strait, Saki. 1999. “Drug Use Among Hispanic Youth: Examining Common and Unique Contributing Factors.” Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences 21(1): 89–103.
King, Keith A. and Rebecca A. Vidourek. 2010. “ Psychosocial Factors Associated With Recent Alcohol Use Among Hispanic Youth.” Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences 32(3): 470- 485.
Kulis, Stephen, Flavio Francisco Marsiglia, and Julie L. Nagoshi. 2012. “Gender Roles and Substance Use Among Mexican American Adolescents: A Relationship Moderated by Acculturation?.” Substance Use & Misuse 47(3): 214–229.
Mogro-Wilson, Christina. 2008. “The Influence of Parental Warmth and Control on Latino Adolescent Alcohol Use.” Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences 30(1): 89–105.
Sanchez, Delida, Elizabeth A. Vandewater, and Emma R. Hamilton. 2019. “Examining marianismo gender role attitudes, ethnic identity, mental health, and substance use in Mexican American early adolescent girls.” Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Use 18(2): 319–342.
