machista

Machista is a term used in Spanish-speaking contexts to describe attitudes, behaviors, or people characterized by machismo—a belief in the superiority of men and the corresponding subordination of women. The adjective form describes things related to such attitudes, while the noun refers to a person who upholds them. The term derives from macho, meaning male, and is linked to broader traditions of patriarchy and gender norms.

Manifestations of machista attitudes include expectations that men should be dominant in public and private life, and that women be responsible for caregiving and domestic work; sexual double standards; controlling behavior; the presumption that men should decide or speak on behalf of women; and derogatory or belittling language about women, as well as tolerance of harassment or violence when framed as “natural.” In workplaces and politics, machista norms can hinder women’s leadership and equal participation.

Impact and critique: machista thinking reinforces gender inequality and can contribute to violence against women and to unequal power dynamics in families and institutions. Some scholars distinguish between individual machistas and broader patriarchal structures, arguing that cultural norms can be changed through education, policy, and social campaigns. The term is widely used in Latin America and Spain and is often invoked in discussions of gender equality, feminism, and social reform.