COOLIN - THE PSYCHOSOCIAL COMMUNICATION OF AFRICAN AND LATINO MEN

It has been suggested that African American males emphasize ''being co ol'' in behavior and attitude due to their lack of socioeconomic or po litical power. Given the historical and cultural connection between Af rican Americans and United States Latino groups (e.g., Puerto Ricans), a brief theoretical exploration of the relationship between ''machism o'' and ''cool pose'' is conducted. It is suggested that both ''mascul ine postures'' can be used to design empowering psychological interven tions in clinical, community and policy areas. Such masculine postures am examined as socioeconomic and historically related psychosocial su rvival mechanisms with both adaptive and maladaptive features. The pos itive features could be used to devise ''inclusive curriculums of dive rsity'' which might make schools, AIDS/HIV prevention and substance ab use treatment more relevant to males of color. Maladaptive features co uld similarly be identified to channel male youth into more constructi ve and empowering behavior.