The Machismo Kiss!

It may almost be worth England losing the Women’s Football Championship because the blow to ‘Machismo’ that was achieved following Spain winning the competition.

In case you are unfamiliar with the term Machismo it is defined as ‘having a strong sense of manly pride and  exaggerated masculinity’.   It has been shortened in the UK to Macho meaning any boorish behaviour by men.

The behaviour of Luis Rubiales was belatedly criticised by the official (male dominated) football bodies because they are conscious of the need to appear to be aware of the changing tide of public opinion.

However the reaction of Luis Rubiales himself, and his supporters, indicates the real attitude of many Mediterranean males.

Their likely response is
‘What is the problem?’  

This feeling of entitlement to ‘intrusive intimacy’ is based on disrespect for women. If you have visited any cities in Spain or Italy as an unaccompanied woman, you will have experienced this for yourself.

In northern parts of Europe, we may not use the term Machismo but we have strongly embedded similar attitudes. Many men, but not all, consider they have the right to invade women’s space, whistle at them, call out in public and generally disrespect them, because they are men. Maybe groping, pinching and improper touching are not so prevalent as in southern Europe, but it is still quite common.

The men who do this, like Rubiales, are completely oblivious to the annoyance and distress this behaviour causes. They think it is their right because they are men. Unfortunately, these attitudes extend to not treating seriously matters of sexual abuse and attempted or actual Rape.

How can this be changed?  It is only when mothers and sisters and make it clear to young men that such behaviour is not manly or acceptable, will there be any hope of change.

Let us hope that the furore over the Rubiales kiss leads more women to speak up against the widespread disrespect that they have to suffer.

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