Machismo/Marianismo Attitudes, Employment, Education, and Sexual Behavior Among Women in Ecuador and the Dominican Republic

Abstract

This research presents an examination of determinants of gender role attitudes and behavior that promote inequalities underlying fertility behavior. Using data from Young Adult Reproductive Health Surveys of women aged 15–24 in Ecuador and the Dominican Republic, this work tests theories of Chafetz (1984, 1990) and Blumberg (1978, 1984), who state this access to employment is among the most important determinants of gender role attitudes (labeled here as machismo/marianismo attitudes). Analyses included examination of bivariate and multivariate associations using path analyses between structural variables including education, employment, religiosity, age, and place of residence; access variables including knowledge of STD, HIV, and contraception; and machismo/marianismo attitudes and sexual behavior. Results indicate that residence and formal education are stronger and more consistent determinants of the rejection of machismo/marianismo attitudes compared to access to employment. Determinants of sexual behavior are not possible to generalize given inadequate measurement of these variables. These findings are consistent across samples and show residence and formal education are determinants that supersede nation specific determinants of machismo/marianismo attitudes. Implications from these findings are that approaches including increasing access to formal education for women may be implemented to encourage changes in machismo/marianismo attitudes related to fertility behavior.