Book Review: Fixing Men

Parra-Cardona

GUTMANN, Matthew. FIXING MEN: SEX, BIRTH CONTROL, AND AIDS IN MEXICO. University of California Press, 2007, 229 pgs.

As a Mexican native scholar, I am always cautious about scholarship focused on Latinos/as. Unfortunately, some studies that explore risk factors in this population continue to be informed by narrow and deficit-based perspectives. However, my experience reading this book has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had as a reviewer of scholarly work on Latinos/as.

The work presented by Dr. Gutmann constitutes a clear example of what high quality ethnographic work should be. By living in the state of Oaxaca, he immersed himself in the local community and most importantly, he remained committed to listening and learning from the life experiences of research participants. Thus, he is able to provide a series of in-depth reflections about masculinity as weU as to present relevant qualitative findings focused on sexuality, decision making around contraception, migration, and AIDS.

One of the attributes of this book, which reflects the professional integrity of Dr. Gutmann, refers to his commitment to avoid simplistic explanations regarding complex realities that affect the Uves of Mexican men. Specifically, he constantly informs his ethnographic method based on a critical view of the socio-political, cultural, and economic contexts that characterize Oaxaca and Mexico. For example, the author discusses patterns of ADDS transmission by Mexican men by bringing to the readers' attention the need to understand this phenomenon as one influenced by oppressive factors both in Mexico and the United States. Without minimizing the accountability that men in this study have for their sexual decisions and behaviors, the systemic and ecological approach embraced by the author constitutes a liberating scholarship that is highly needed in order to reach a comprehensive understanding of the Ufe challenges faced by the population under study.

Fixing men is a book integrated by a well-planned presentation of relevant topics. The author begins by introducing the study within a comprehensive ethnographic methodology. As a Mexican native, I was deeply impressed by how deep the author was able to immerse himself in the culture of Oaxaca, as well as by bis thorough understanding of the sociopolitical and economic contexts of Oaxaca and the nation. In addition, the author offers a relevant critique of the ways in which common constructs utilized to describe the life experiences of Mexican men can be limiting. For example, Dr. Gutmann accurately states how the scholarship on men has been limited by the utilization of polarizing constructs such as macho/non-macho. As a researcher and clinician committed to work with Latino men who have engaged in intimate partner violence, I find this perspective highly refreshing as it calls into question narrow descriptions on male identity and encourages us to co-create with Latino men new masculine identities characterized by cultural strengths and a commitment to emotional intimacy.

The remaining book chapters offer relevant ethnographic findings focused on sexual practices, AIDS, decision making around contraception, and traditional sexual healing. Two characteristics distinguish these book chapters. First, the quality and relevance of the study results are outstanding. As a qualitative researcher, I was impressed with the level of detail of the research findings, particularly by taking into consideration the contextual challenges and cultural barriers that the author must have faced during the implementation of this study. In addition, Dr. Gutmann does and excellent job of providing a comprehensive description of how ethnographic findings are interrelated with key contextual and cultural factors. For example, he offers a thorough description of the ways in which Mexican health care professionals are at the forefront of the plague of AIDS in Oaxaca. He also adopts a humble but assertive stance regarding his perceived vulnerabilities of the Mexican health care system and the limiting view of some health professionals. This integrated presentation deeply resonated with me as I witnessed the loving commitment of countless health professionals in Mexico during my clinical training. At the same time, I also experienced the frustration and anger resulting from discriminatory practices that the most vulnerable populations continue to experience in this health care system.

In closing, the author provides a humble and powerful reflection on his work. Specifically, he highlights the ways in which he grew as a result of learning from the voices of the women and men who trusted him with their Ufe experiences. He also encourages us to continue to expand this Une of work by embracing an attitude of critical analysis, comprehensive understanding, and healing. As a scholar, I consider that there is an urgent need to accept Dr. Gutmann's invitation, particularly because this is one of the most powerful alternatives that will allow us to co-create new realities with Mexican and Latino men.

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