Masculinity or Violence

While I was on the Radio Caracol show in Miami, I commented on the rapid and radical changes the Latina woman makes when she immigrates to the U.S., emphasizing her adaptability, her capacity for biological processing, and—thanks to social and cultural history—her ability to get along with others while taking care of her family. Very interestingly, Dr. Rolando Garcia, psychiatrist and co-host of the program answered, “I envy women—that they can do everything—and I say this with admiration. But, where does that leave us men who, before, knew we had our territory and women had theirs?”

This sympathetic note, comprehensive and yet profound, helps us realize that for many men, it is not easy redefining masculinity. On this point, we observe in some men a proliferation of domestic violence and violation and assault of women in general, associated with maintaining power, control, and domination. Of course, this does not pertain to all men, but we do observe verbal and emotional abuse by many toward their wives, in homes of various socioeconomic, cultural, and educational levels.

According to Jackson Katz, founder and director of a violence prevention program at Northeastern University in Boston, some men try to emphasize their masculine characteristics with the size and strength of their body and their ability to use violence to their benefit.
This new image is reinforced by magazines, commercials and images of super-muscular sports figures. As a consequence, many men under the influence of this ‘style’ spend long hours daily at the gym, not for reasons of health, but to become more muscular, which makes them feel more masculine.

But the problem is more serious when being masculine is associated with being violent. According to Katz, violence on the screen, as well as in real life, is perpetuated by men who are the majority of the audience at such films and sports events. But the most important point is that violence is made to appear glamorous and using weapons becomes the symbol of power and virility.

The Wisdom in Giving Up - Scene 1

When you reach the point of saying, ‘I’ve had enough—I refuse to be continually unhappy!’ you’ll discover that new doors are open to you. Maria, a patient of mine who was a victim of domestic violence, recently told me, ‘I’ve had it up to here with my misery! From now on, I will own my life—I will not hand it over to anyone else!’ In order for her to arrive at that decision, Maria had to declare that she had given up the struggle to hold onto an unhealthy relationship. Once she made that declaration, she was free to consider what she really wanted from her life and to make new choices.

- Dr. Ana Nogales

The Complexity of Trauma ...

Modern studies of magnetic resonance and neuro-images have found that there are three areas of the brain which are affected when a person lives through a prolonged trauma: the hypothalamus, the amygdala, and the frontal lobe. These areas of the brain cause people to continue experiencing and responding with stress to a trauma even when it no longer exists. Since the trauma-related brain changes are ongoing, a hormonal imbalance is created as well.

Such studies are of particular importance to women, since women experience emotional changes during their monthly cycle, pregnancy, post-childbirth, and menopause – all of which are caused by hormonal shifts. Such hormonal changes can cause imbalances that can then lead to depression.
Some women find temporary relief from premenstrual depression by satisfying their craving for chocolate or other candies. There is a biological explanation for such cravings, since the glucose may help to restore the hormonal imbalance that produces depression and its consequential behaviors, including concentration problems, memory blackouts, lack or excess of appetite, impulsiveness, and aggression.

Children can also be similarly affected by anxiety-induced hormonal changes. Those who have lived through physical, sexual or emotional abuse, who have witnessed episodes of domestic violence or other extreme conditions, may also react biologically. A study by Victor Carrion, M.D. of Stanford University found that a child’s anxiety that is the result of traumatic experiences is correlated with higher levels of cortisone, just as occurs in adults.

All of this indicates that recovery from a trauma is complex and takes time.

Sometimes we want to feel well and are unable to do so. This is because healing the soul depends not only on our emotional strength but on the body as well.

A body that has been punished by the pain of traumatic life events needs time to heal. This is why, in addition to medical and psychological treatment, patience is an important component of the healing process.

-Dr. Ana Nogales

Intergenerational dialogue is crucial

Today, sadly, there are too many women whose voices are silenced due to discrimination and violence against women. Sometimes we keep our stories to ourselves because we don't want to burden our children with the pain of the past. But such silence doesn't allow the younger generation to learn from what their elders went through--and to strive to create change. This is why it is so crucial for grandmothers and mothers to reach out to the younger generations and share their stories, however painful they may be, so that our personal and cultural histories are not lost. And it is equally important for younger women to keep asking their mothers and grandmothers to relay the stories of their lives. As we engage in this process of intergenerational dialogue, we can begin to connect to each other at the soul level--and work together toward the goal of women's empowerment.

--Dr. Nogales

Listen to Podcast Interviews to Dr. Ana Nogales

JOSE MIRANDA, FROM YO SOY LATINO.INTERVIEW TO ANA NOGALES

"... May, 23 2009 - Victims of Crime: a Chat with Ana L. Nogales, Ph.D.

Dr. Nogales is a clinical psychologist and founder of Nogales Psychological Counseling, Inc. and the Clinical Director of a nonprofit organization Casa de la Familia, which was established for victims of crime—sufferers of rape, sexual assault, child molestation and physical abuse as well as domestic violence and human trafficking.
Additionally, she is the President of ALMA, Association for Latino Mental Health Awareness in Orange County, which is dedicated to eradicating the stigma associated with mental illness.
Currently, Dr. Nogales serves on the board of the California Women's Commission on Addictions as the President and is an active board member of Las Comadres para las Americas and Women’s Transitional Living Center.
There is so much more to Dr. Nogales. In truth this is just the tip of the iceberg so listen to our show on the 23rd and find out more.

.........."