There are also a number of traditional sex-role expectations for males in our society: a male is expected to be tough, fearless, logical, self-reliant, independent, and aggressive. He should have definite opinions on the major issues of the day and make authoritative decisions at work and at home. He is expected to be strong, a sturdy oak, and never to be depressed, vulnerable, or anxious. He is not supposed to be a “sissy,” to cry or openly display emotions that suggest vulnerability.

Words like stoical, practical and pragmatic are just a few words that could be applied to describe the stereotypical Spaniards. The word “superstitious” usually is not on the list. However, once a year in the run-up to Christmas, it seems that their rationality goes out the window and many people change their patterns of behavior radically for just a few weeks. To understand why, we first need to understand “the fat one.” “The fat one” refers to the 205-year-old Spanish Christmas Lottery, “El Gordo,” which is the biggest lottery in the world in terms of the total prize money on offer. Its fund structure allows many more winners than other conventional lottery draws. This hugely popular lottery draw first took place in 1812 and has been held on December 22 every year since then, even continuing through the Spanish Civil War and both World Wars. Winning numbers are drawn by children from Madrid's San Ildefonso school, which was originally a home for orphans of civil servants. The pupils deliver the results in a song by picking and singing out a lottery number from one big golden drum, and then its corresponding prize amount from the other drum. On this date, the streets of Spain are silent as everyone watches the broadcast of the El Gordo lottery draw, a love affair which can take over three hours. There are many superstitions about the El Gordo lottery tickets. Some people claim that rubbing your lottery ticket against a pregnant woman’s belly, a bald man’s head or a cat’s back will make it a winner. In the northwestern region of Galicia, lottery players hang their tickets on horseshoes. In other regions, people tuck their ticket next to a figure of the Virgin Mary. Some Spaniards believe that the key to good luck comes in the form of an actual key, so they carry an old iron key in their pocket with the lottery ticket.

   But now all that has changed. Beltran says, "I haven't seen a bullet hole in a year." Turner boasts, "I can sit on my porch anytime." These women are not the only Americans feeling a little safer these days. In many cities, the rate of crime is going down. In 1994, violent crime dropped 8% in the nine largest U.S. cities. During the first half of 1995, serious crime dropped an additional 2%. Murder was down 12%.

   Why is crime down? One reason may be the smart new way some police departments work. In cities such as New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York and Chicago, police don't just cruise around in patrol cars watching for crimes. Officers are on the streets, talking with the folks they protect. The new system is called community policing. Officers know the good citizens and the troublemakers, which makes it easier to solve crimes. "I felt better almost as soon as the police moved in," says Brenda Holmes of New Orleans. "They've given us our lives back."

   Police officers are taking on new roles. "We do neighborhood cleanups, counseling...you name it," says Djuana Adams, a police officer in New Orleans. "We help the children with their homework, and they show up for treats when they get good grades." Community policing is not the only reason experts give for the drop in crime. More criminals than ever are in prison, where they can't get into trouble. Also, fewer people use crack, the drug blamed for the rise in violent crime that started in 1984.

   Some experts think the crime rate will bounce back up in a few years. There will be more males ages 15 to 29, the group that commits most crimes. Plus, crime among kids has gone up, not down. But if crime does rise again, police departments across the country are better prepared than ever to fight it.