Understanding masculinity: Cultural expectations and identity development among Latino fraternity members

Latino men, ages 18 to 25, navigate a particularly complex transition into adulthood shaped by cultural expectations, evolving identities, and the continual negotiation of traditional values within contemporary college environments. During their college experience, many Latino men choose to join culturally-based fraternities, providing opportunities to find community and a sense of belonging. Additionally, central to this developmental period is their influences of machismo—a cultural construct encompassing responsibility, honor, family obligation, emotional restraint, and other adaptive or affirming expressions of masculinity. This study investigated how college‑age Latino men who are members of a Latino‑based fraternity understand, experience, and enact masculinity during emerging adulthood, with particular attention to the ways fraternity contexts may simultaneously reinforce and challenge traditional masculine norms. Guided by Gender Role Conflict Theory (GRCT) and Latino Critical Theory (LatCrit), this study explored the historical and cultural foundations of machismo, the ways family and community socialization shape masculine identity, and how Latino fraternities function as culturally specific support systems influence leadership, belonging, emotional expression, and relationship behaviors. Using qualitative methods, semi-structured focus groups were conducted with Latino fraternity men ages 18–25 enrolled at a Midwest urban-serving institution. The findings suggested it is the aim to address a gap in literature pertaining to Latino fraternity men centering lived experiences and illuminating how cultural masculinity norms intersect with mental and emotional well-being, intimate relationships, and identity development. Implications include strengthening culturally responsive campus programming and fraternity advising that promotes cultural pride, healthy masculinity, and spaces for vulnerability.

Author

• Villa, Joshua M.

Identifier

hdl:10057/56129

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:soar.wichita.edu:10057/56129