SELF-DEFENSES AND REBELLIOUS MASCULINITY IN TAMAULIPAS

Abstract

The article presents a reflection about a self-defense group that emerged in northeastern Mexico. Unlike the legalsociological and anthropological approaches used in approaching the phenomenon, here an approach of masculinity is adopted. Specifically, the case of the Armed Column Gen. Pedro José Méndez, which was born in Tamaulipas in 2010, is analyzed. The article is based on monographic information sources, as well as on newspaper sources and videos of the Column. It is argued that Armed Column reveals the representation of a gender structure that here is called “rebellious masculinity”, which insubordinates against a technology of criminal power, and gender and sexuality, represented by Los Zetas, also against the State, builds an androcentric ideology to confront them, and reproduces discourses and practices of power to position itself as a dominant gender structure in the region.

Keywords

• self-defenses
• crime
• power
• masculinity
• honor