Paper short abstract:

How are gender and political roles connected, generating distinctive ways of relating to the political field? Women’s and men’s representations on gender and politics have been captured through in-depth interviews in Brasília. Based on these, the concepts of marianismo and machismo are discussed.

Paper long abstract:

The article presents some preliminary results of a doctorate thesis. It analyses to what extent and how social gender roles - both female and male - are related to political roles, generating distinctive ways of relating to the political field. Since the feminist literature argues that there is an association between gender roles and patterns of insertion on the political public sphere, the article explores how this association is manifested empirically in a specific social context through a qualitative case study in the city of Brasilia. Women's and men's representations on gender and politics have been captured through in-depth interviews. Based on these, the concepts of marianismo and machismo are discussed.

Even though Brazilian society has been transforming masculinities and femininities, some important structural dimensions that shape gender identities are still in place. The sexual division of labor has not been significantly altered even if it is true that both women and men (the latter, on a slower pace) have changed their ways of using time regarding non-paid work. Also in terms of changes, both groups are ready to accept that women have achieved more prominent social roles, including in politics. Nevertheless, traditional gender practices and representations are strongly accepted. Women's participation in politics is viewed under the lens of female stereotypes, such as honesty, compassion, and kindness. In addition, religion is one of the greatest sources of gender representations and political references. Religion provides powerful gender narratives that are used by interviewees to talk about a phenomenon that remains largely naturalized.