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Spectacles of Gender and Nationalism in Argentina's Dirty War

Simon Mitchell

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Published in Disappearing Acts: Spectacles Of Gender And Nationalism In Argentina S Dirty War

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The Dirty War was a period of state-sponsored violence in Argentina from 1976 to 1983. During this time, the military junta kidnapped, tortured, and killed thousands of people suspected of being subversives. The Dirty War was also a time of intense gender violence, as women were often targeted for sexual abuse and torture.

In this article, we will explore the spectacles of gender and nationalism that were used by the military junta to justify the Dirty War. We will also examine the ways in which women were represented in the media during this time, and how this representation contributed to the normalization of gender violence.

Disappearing Acts: Spectacles of Gender and Nationalism in Argentina's "Dirty War"

by Diana Taylor

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Gender and Nationalism

The military junta used gender to justify the Dirty War in a number of ways. First, they portrayed the war as a necessary defense of traditional Argentine values. These values included the importance of family, motherhood, and the male breadwinner. The junta argued that the left-wing guerrillas were threatening these values, and that the Dirty War was necessary to protect them.

Second, the junta used gender to divide and conquer the population. They portrayed the guerrillas as being made up of "unmanly" men and "unfeminine" women. This rhetoric was used to justify the targeting of women for sexual abuse and torture. It also helped to create a climate of fear and suspicion, in which people were afraid to speak out against the junta.

Third, the junta used gender to create a sense of national unity. They portrayed the Dirty War as a struggle between good and evil, and they cast the guerrillas as the embodiment of evil. This rhetoric helped to create a sense of national purpose, and it made it easier for the junta to justify its violent tactics.

Women in the Media

The media played a significant role in shaping the way that women were represented during the Dirty War. The media often portrayed women as victims of the guerrillas, and they emphasized the sexual violence that women were subjected to. This representation helped to normalize gender violence, and it made it more difficult for women to speak out about their experiences.

The media also portrayed women as being complicit in the Dirty War. They often depicted women as being members of the guerrilla movement, or as being responsible for the deaths of their husbands and children. This representation helped to justify the targeting of women for violence.

The Dirty War was a time of extreme violence and repression in Argentina. Gender played a significant role in the war, as the military junta used gender to justify its violence and to divide and conquer the population. The media also played a significant role in shaping the way that women were represented during the war, and they helped to normalize gender violence.

The legacy of the Dirty War continues to impact Argentina today. Gender violence remains a serious problem in the country, and the media continues to portray women in stereotypical and harmful ways. It is important to remember the lessons of the Dirty War, and to work to create a more just and equitable society for all.

References

Feierstein, Daniel. "The Dirty War and the Disappeared: A Look Back." Journal of Latin American Studies 35.3 (2003): 509-536.
Franco, Jean. "Gender and Violence in the Dirty War: The Case of Argentina." Latin American Perspectives 22.4 (1995): 96-120.
Gilman, Claudio. "The Dirty War and the Obscene." The South Atlantic Quarterly 104.4 (2005): 903-920.
O'Donnell, Guillermo. "Dirty War, An Unfinished Reckoning." NACLA Report on the Americas 37.3 (2004): 14-20.
Rouquié, Alain. "The Dirty War in Argentina: The Cases of France and Italy." European Review of Latin American and Caribbean Studies/Revista Europea de Estudios Latinoamericanos y del Caribe 88 (2009): 5-21.

Disappearing Acts: Spectacles of Gender and Nationalism in Argentina's "Dirty War"

by Diana Taylor

4.8 out of 5