What is 'machismo'? Student responses.

 For today's mini-quiz, my students in my Hispanic Civilization course had to answer the following question: "What is 'machismo'?" Here are some of the answers. Obviously, I am doing something wrong in this course because most of the students still have not been able to process such an important concept.

• "a male superiority complex."

• "masculine style."

• "men acting like they have all the power."

• "a macho mentality." 

• "macho but in an oppressive way towards women."

• "a set of characteristics or qualities that depict the nature of a man who is confident and strong."

• "a very aggressive guy."

• "men being manly."
  

• "the idea that men are better than women." (Finally, a good answer and that, from a male student.)

• "it is the masculine feeling and presence in culture." (God, what have I done to deserve hearing about "masculine feelings" so early in the morning?)
  

•  "when men treat women like dirt because they see women as inferior to men." (That's the kind of writing I like!)

• "masculine superiority over all females and other males. 'Alpha male' mentality combined with vanity, sexism, and chauvinism." (You've got to love this student.)