Abstract

RAMIREZ RODRIGUEZ, Juan Carlos. "Keep Your Woman on a Short Leash": Beliefs Concerning Gender Relations among Young People in Guadalajara. Relac. Estud. hist. soc. [online]. 2013, vol.34, n.133, pp.15-40. ISSN 2448-7554.

This article describes and interprets the belief expressed in the saying "keep your woman on a short leash", a modality of male domination and an expression of symbolic violence framed in the context of gender relations. No homogeneous conception regarding this adage was found in this study conducted among young people, as positions both pro and con were recorded; i.e., it may be considered an expression of machismo and control, but may also be seen as necessary, a pertinent aspect of a relationship. More over, the testimonies gathered include expressions of ambivalence and even indifference with respect to this belief. "Keep your woman on a short leash" allows us to probe the importance of beliefs as constitutive elements of gender relations, and to reveal their continuities, adaptations and transformations. Understanding beliefs is a necessary step in fostering modifications that tend towards equality, solidarity, dialogue and negotiation between genders. Young people (women and men) between the ages of 15 and 24 participated, all of them high school and undergraduate students living in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara. The research technique was based on focus groups.

Keywords : gender; beliefs; young people; gender violence; masculinity; male domination.

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