Gender Expression in Tango

Unlike in the United States, where overt gender expression is often viewed as politically incorrect, in Argentina it is celebrated as a vital part of cultural identity—evident in many aspects of life, and especially in dance.*

In chacarera, for example, the man proudly displays his masculinity, as if saying, “Look how strong and brave I am!” And the woman, in turn, expresses her femininity with grace, as if asking, “Don’t you admire my softness and beauty?”

This open and expressive display of gender is also deeply woven into their tango.

For Argentinians, masculinity and femininity are not sources of controversy but qualities admired in men and women—timeless attributes shaped by millions of years of evolution. As a unity of opposites, the two sexes are inherently interdependent and complementary. From this union emerge children, families, and communities, forming the moral foundation that upholds society through love, cooperation, role distinction, accommodation, and compromise. The stability and harmony of society are deeply rooted in this intrinsic attraction between the sexes. Gender expression, therefore, is not a marker of inequality or oppression, as some critics claim, but a unifying force that strengthens bonds between the sexes and sustains social cohesion.

Feminist ideology often frames men and women as separate entities with conflicting self-interests, yet it overlooks their inherent interdependence and complementarity (see Tango and Interdepence between the Sexes). The feminist assertion that “the history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man towards woman” is a sweeping generalization that distorts the complexity of human history.

That history is not a chronicle of gender warfare. Every man is a son to a mother and a brother to a sister, just as every woman is a daughter to a father and a sister to a brother—bound by natural love and loyalty. In fact, many societies were matriarchal long before written history began. Love and the emotional bond between the sexes has been a consistent presence throughout human civilization. While gender inequality exists, it is more closely linked to socioeconomic structures than to gender itself (see Mammonism). The solution, therefore, does not lie in erasing gender distinctions, rejecting gender roles, fostering animosity, or masculinizing women. Nor does it lie in promoting women's independence and emancipation from the family, or encouraging women's sexual self-reliance through the advocacy of lesbianism and same-sex marriage. Utopian attempts to reconstruct society along radical ideological lines have repeatedly failed, often with disastrous consequences, as they conflict with the fundamental nature of human relationships (see Tango and Gender Issues).

As John Gray writes in On Human Happiness: “If we want to achieve the perfect degree of human nature, or at least come close to it, then all rules and regulations of mankind should be adapted to human nature. Because experience proves that we cannot use rules and regulations to bind human nature without destroying happiness. The attempt to obey rules that contradict human nature is the main source of human suffering. Any effort to promote human wellness will fail without radical reform in this respect.”

True gender equality and harmony arise not from eliminating differences but from embracing them—along with the roles, expressions, and natural bonds they cultivate. Love, cooperation, mutual understanding, and accommodation flourish within this balance, forming the bedrock of societal stability. A thriving society is built on mutual respect, love, collaboration, and adaptability, rather than conflict, resentment, or struggles for dominance. This perspective contrasts sharply with modern ideologies shaped by individualism, feminism, and adversarial power dynamics.

Tango serves as a living testament that men and women are interdependent rather than independent and that masculinity and femininity complement rather than create inequality between the sexes. A masculine man and a feminine woman are not only attractive but also beneficial to the harmony of their union. While individualism and feminism focus on the individuality and independence of individuals or sexes, tango emphasizes the oneness and harmony of their union. It calls for friendliness, humility, compassion, adaptability, cooperation, agreeableness, and yielding. Tango demonstrates that the two sexes can form a harmonious relationship by adhering to these values (see Femininity and Feminism in Tango (II)).

Gender expression is fundamental to tango also because it is inherently a heterosexual dance. Tango thrives on contrast and complementarity, with each gender contributing something distinct and essential. Tango music itself embodies this duality: its rhythm is masculine—grounded, strong, steady, and forceful, while its melody is feminine—lyrical, emotional, expressive, and beautiful. These elements intertwine, mirroring the interaction between the dancers. The man and woman are akin to different instruments. One is the bandoneon, the other the violin. One is the drumbeat, the other the melody. Each plays an irreplaceable role, and only together do they bring tango to life (see The Characteristics of Classic Tango). Attempts to neutralize or strip tango of its gendered dynamic—whether by flattening roles or redefining it as a genderless or same-sex experience—diminish its richness. Without gender distinction and expression, tango risks losing its emotional depth, energy, and poetic soul.

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*I was dancing at Club Gricel when suddenly my partner let out a cry—she had been struck by someone on the floor. Before I could process what had happened, the man from the couple who collided with us said something reproachful to me, like a male goose defending his mate. Perhaps I was at fault, so I apologized and we moved on. Later, as I was leaving the venue, that same man approached me. He shook my hand and apologized—saying it had actually been his mistake. He had needed to appear virile in front of his woman, but in private he owned up to his error. I was touched by his sincerity, and I had no problem forgiving him for being manly.