5. Gender Roles in Hispanic Families Familismo : Family life is of primary importance Well-defined, traditional roles Men and women viewed as fundamentally different -- complementary Man's realm = public, work and civic life outside home Woman's realm = private, in the home and church Strong connection between feminine gender and child bearing Idealized femininity: submissive, chaste, and dependent Idealized masculinity: dominant, virile, and independent Similar to Traditional Anglo American gender roles, but somewhat more conservative