Gender dynamics in neoliberal social reproduction of Mexican rural households
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55555/IS.28.584Keywords:
social reproduction, women-led cooperatives, care work, gender dynamics, rural MexicoAbstract
During the neoliberal period, the social reproduction of rural Mexican households intensified women's burden. Subsidiary policies and collective organizing reinforced moral duties in caring with ambivalent effects on gender relations within and outside the household. The research studied the gender dynamics stimulated by Progresa-Oportunidades-Prospera Program and women-led cooperatives on the labor qualities of women, the household resources allocation, and the perception of caring, in the emigration context. The conceptual framework analyzed the gender-twin dynamic and its performativity, the household moral economy, alternative organizing, and strategic (dis)obedience to identify drivers of change and continuity in gender relations. Based on qualitative research approach, two case studies were investigated to distinguish patterns that (dis)stabilize gender norms related to care work. It was found that the subversion of gender norms implied mothers' strategic (dis)obedience, the recognition of their work, and the enactment of reciprocity by husbands exposed to the unconventional gender labor division. Finally, the perspective makes visible collective and solidary alternatives to move towards shared responsibility of caring.References
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