Answer
Marianismo is a term for the strong sense of traditional femininity as defined by the Roman Catholic and Hispanic view of the Virgin Mary. The concept of marianismo emphasizes the virtues of self-sacrifice, submissiveness, and chastity. This social framework positions women in passive and subordinate roles, prioritizing their duty to family and community above all else. Evelyn Stevens, a scholar of Latin American studies, defines marianismo as “the cult of female spiritual superiority, which teaches that women are semidivine, morally superior to, and spiritually stronger than men” (“Mancinismo: The other face of machismo,” in Female and Male in Latin America, Pescatello, A., ed., University of Pittsburg Press, 1973). In this way, marianismo is the counterpoint for machismo, which is a bold or exaggerated sense of masculinity.
Marianismo is associated with the veneration of the Virgin Mary in Roman Catholicism, which sees Mary as the epitome of true femininity. Mary was humble, gentle, and obedient, so women who desire to be truly feminine will mirror those same qualities. This ideal creates a sharp contrast between women who are pure and self-sacrificing—like Mary—and those who assert independence and seek roles outside of the traditional family and traditional marriage. Furthermore, marianismo teaches women to prioritize family over personal needs, maintain sexual purity, and demonstrate emotional resolve without expressing vulnerability. Attempting to conform to an idealized view of Mary can place immense pressure on women to conform to certain standards, possibly at the expense of their own psychological health and personal ambitions.
The Bible has a more balanced and nuanced view of womanhood than that advanced by marianismo. Scripture teaches the inherent value and dignity of women and the diverse yet complementary roles of men and women.
The Bible unequivocally affirms the inherent equality of men and women. Genesis 1:27 states, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (ESV). This biblical truth establishes that both men and women equally bear God’s image. The spiritual equality of men and women is seen in Galatians 3:28, where Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (ESV). In Christ, all believers are equal before God.
The Bible also affirms the diverse roles and significant contributions of women. Deborah was a judge and prophetess (Judges 4—5), and Esther was a queen who saved her people (Esther 4:14). Despite their diverse roles and contributions, these women demonstrated leadership, wisdom, and courage.
In the Bible, the epitome of womanhood is not found in marianismo but in Proverbs 31. The woman described there is capable, industrious, and wise. She effectively manages her household and engages in commerce (Proverbs 31:10–31). Unlike the ideal set forth in marianismo, Proverbs 31 shows that a woman does not need to be limited to a passive role; rather, she can exercise authority and make wise decisions on behalf of her family.
Jesus’ interactions with women were revolutionary for His time. He engaged in theological discussions with women (John 4:7–26), healed and forgave them (Luke 8:1–3; John 8:1–11), and included them in His ministry (Luke 8:1–3). Mary Magdalene was the first to witness the resurrection of Christ and proclaim it to the other disciples (John 20:11–18). Thus, women had an important role in the early church. Jesus’ teachings and interactions with women broke cultural norms, elevating the status of women.
While marianismo highlights commendable virtues, it also imposes unrealistic and even restrictive expectations on women. Further, it places an undue emphasis on Mary, lifting her up as the highest example of what a woman should be. The Bible recognizes the inherent value and dignity of women, but it stops short of pointing to Mary as the quintessence of virtue. Women should embrace their God-given identity and gifts, serving God and others without being hindered by cultural stereotypes such as marianismo represents.
