Despicable Masculinity and Inappropriate Conjugality in Northern Mexico Folklore:

The Story of John the Bear

Abstract

We depart from the compilation and analysis of the stories of John the Bear in two state of Northern Mexico. We analyze ten oral texts and eighteen written texts, aiming to understand how they articulate gender values and ideas, particularly on masculinity, in relation to conjugality, reproduction and fatherhood. We conclude that northern versions of this oral tradition differ from European version, as they center on the kidnapping of the woman (the mother of John the Bear) and not on his adventures, identifying and alerting against a notion of a dangerous and antisocial masculinity, creating a moral message of great relevance to Northern Mexico´s gender culture.

Key Words: Folklore, Gender Studies, Masculinity, Conjugality, Northern Mexico