Communist Cuba, Hypermasculinity, and Feminism

This paper will examine the way Cuban culture influences and maintains traditional norms that affect Third-World women and Third-World feminisms, specifically looking at the Third-World communist country of the Republic of Cuba. Cuba has a communist political system, which affects every person in its society, men, and women. Women, historically, are responsible for unpaid work such as childcare and housework; this is not only a product of Cuba’s economic norms, but also a product of Cuban hypermasculinity and machista culture. Hypermasculinity is evident when looking at prominent public figures in Cuba such as Fidel Castro. Feminism’s influence in Cuba emerges from its Marxist-feminist struggle within communism. Many Cuban women are excelling outside of the home, but are still ultimately responsible for “women’s work” inside the home; thus, the double day continues. Unity Feminism is offered as a solution for incorporating both men and women of all intersections into the fight for equality for all