Global Restructuring, Transmigration and Mexican Rural Women Who Stay Behind: Accommodating, Contesting and Transcending Ideologies

Abstract

In a time when globalization has escalated the migration of groups of people there is still little known of the families and communities that stay behind. Based on over five years of ethnographic research with campesinas (rural Mexican women) in a highly migratory part of Central Mexico, this article examines the manner in which campesinas who stay behind as their husbands migrate are implicated in global processes. As a result of the movement of spouses to and from the United States new ideas, capital, bodies, and information are introduced that alter the roles and perspectives of women who stay behind. From a gendered glocal framework that links global and local processes and considers power relations stretched across various spaces and amongst gender relations, the author examines how women learn to accommodate, contest, and transcend their transmigrant state and changing ideologies. Women's integration in a non-governmental organization, reliance on family networks and cultural traditions, among others, help maintain their integrity and wholeness as single mothers, group leaders, and community participants.En una época en la que la globalización ha incrementado la migración de grupos de personas, es poco lo que se sabe de las familias y comunidades que se quedan atrás. En base a más de 5 años de investigación etnográfica con campesinas (mujeres rurales mexicanas) en un área de alta migración del centro de México, este artículo analiza la manera en que las campesinas que se quedan atrás mientras sus esposos migran, ha implicado en los procesos globales. Como resultado de la migración de los maridos hacia y desde los Estados Unidos, se introducen nuevas ideas, capital, personas e información, los cuales alteran la función y perspectiva de las mujeres que se quedan atrás. Desde un marco global de género que enlaza los procesos locales y globales y que considera las relaciones de poder que se extienden a través de varios espacios y entre las relaciones de género, el autor analiza la manera como las

Discourses of legitimation and loss of sons who stay behind

“…Moroccans, Eastern Europeans, or other Latin American immigrants; Reher et al, 2009). Although research on transnational parenting and children who stay behind is growing more work is needed in this area to clearly explain children's roles, concerns, and needs (Cole, 2013;Dreby, 2007;Parreñas, 2005a;Pribilsky, 2004;Trinidad Galván, 2008Waters, 2002). Although research on transnational parenting and children who stay behind is growing more work is needed in this area to clearly explain children's roles, concerns, and needs (Cole, 2013;Dreby, 2007;Parreñas, 2005a;Pribilsky, 2004;Trinidad Galván, 2008Waters, 2002).…”

“…Traditionally ascribed gender roles for both parents and children, for instance, mediate roles and responsibilities at home and abroad (Dreby, 2006;Pribilsky, 2004;Trinidad Galván, 2008. For some children, especially girls, added responsibilities, such as managing remittances, give them a level of authority and control over financial decisions but also a burdensome obligation.…”

“…For some children, especially girls, added responsibilities, such as managing remittances, give them a level of authority and control over financial decisions but also a burdensome obligation. (p. 325) In addition, mothers -not fathers -are more likely to bear the brunt of the financial, emotional, and social responsibilities if she or both parents are abroad (Parreñas, 2005a(Parreñas, , 2005bPribilsky, 2004;Trinidad Galván, 2008). It also increases the responsibilities and workload of daughters.…”

“…While migrant parents learn to negotiate stories and reasons for migrating, especially for spouses who remain (Trinidad Galván, 2008), children aren't usually included in the decision-making process or endowed with the power to negotiate transnational arrangements and roles (Dreby, 2007). What Alberto's narrative offers is a reflexive and informed analysis of what he was told (by the authorial voice of his father), what he felt at the time (sadness and suffering), and how he currently understands his father's migration (to have a good life).…”

“…For instance, Parreñas (2003) suggests that Many children resolve the emotional insecurity of being left by their parents … by viewing migration as a sacrifice to be repaid by adult children. While even young children (Parreñas, 2001) recognize the material gains of their parents' migration, the gains don't outweigh the emotional loss (Trinidad Galván, 2008). (p. 47) Indeed, this is evident throughout Alberto's narrative as a moral evaluation 'for the good of the family'.…”