‘Where the Boys Are: Attitudes Related to Masculinity, Fatherhood and Violence Toward Women Among Low-Income Adolescent and Young Adult Males in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’

Qualitative research with 127 low-income young men and women (ages 14 to 30) in Rio de Janeiro found rigid gender roles with males displaying widespread machista values. Males viewed violence toward women as acceptable in many circumstances, with more widespread violence against women reported among youth who live in favelas-low-income, marginal areas of the city. Nonetheless, the research identified a small but important minority of progressive males who questioned traditional machista attitudes. In focus group discussions, more progressive males were frequently criticized by machista males. Individual in-depth interviews found that being able to question predominant machista values was related to having a meaningful relationship with a role model who promoted nontraditional gender roles. The research highlights important ways of working with adolescent males to encourage more flexible gender roles.