Gender Roles Anthropology 393
Cultural Construction of HIV/AIDS
Josephine MacIntosh
Men Are…
Generally of higher social status
Even gay men
As a group, may have lower perceived status
As individuals, have same access as other men
Often socialized into ‘machismo’ roles
Superior knowledge of sexual matters
Authority over women
‘Marianismo’ is the opposite extreme of female dependence, passivity and ignorance of sexual matters
Men Only
Men Only
Social & Sexual Equity
Integral to HIV/AIDS prevention
It is important to change
Accepted patterns of male behaviour
Expected patterns of female behaviour
Then, women can be in a position to protect themselves from the very real threat of HIV infection -- which leads ultimately, to death
Comments