Abstract

NUNEZ-GONZALEZ, Marco Alejandro  and  NUNEZ NORIEGA, Guillermo. Masculinities in Mexico’s narco culture: viejones and honor. Región y sociedad [online]. 2019, vol.31, e1107. ISSN 2448-4849.  https://doi.org/10.22198/rys2019/31/1107.

The objective of the study was to understand gender dynamics and distinction of men involved in Mexico’s narco culture. The ethnographic method was used: in-depth interviews and participant observation. According to results, in narco culture there is a dispute over the meanings of being man and masculinity, putting economic, war, social and symbolic capitals into play, these focused around a sense of honor. The article’s contribution is that buchones are the main subject matter. It follows that the identity term viejón occupies a dominant position in this field of dispute over masculinity because these practices are the desirable ones of the group of belonging, awarding honor, respect and recognition. The findings can be applied in order to highlight the meanings of admiration that cultural and creative industries give to drug trafficking, so as to advance our understanding of the drug trafficker as a charismatic figure, which facilitates the success of these industries that make apologies for such activity.

Keywords : masculinity; masculine identity; interviews; drug trafficking; narco culture; buchones; Sinaloa.