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Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9* black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in thte copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. ProQuest Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 UMÏ SURVIVAL TO SURPLUS: VARIATION IN LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES AMONG WOMEN IN PORTO NOVO, BENIN DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Jennifer L. Mandel, M.P.A, M.A. *** The Ohio State University 2001 Dissertation Committee Apjvoved by Professor Lawrence A. Brown, Advisor Professor Paul A. Robbins Advisor Professor Eugene McCann Department of Geography UMI Number 3022535 UMI’ UMI Microform 3022535 Copyright 2001 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition Is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and teaming Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Strategy is a technical term meaning the positioning of oneself to others in order to accomplish one’s goals. Whereas one’s reasons for action may be subjective and strictly personal, one’s strategy is shaped by social circumstances...the strategy becomes social insofar as individuals recognize the actual or possible influence of others, their values and actions, upon their own goals. (Hamilton 1985) ABSTRACT Economic development research and practice has primarily emphasized access to financial capital and the acquisition of westem-style business skills to move people out of the informal economy, in a developing and developed country contexts, or off welfare, in developed country settings. This orientation reflects misunderstanding of how people actually earn a living and the ways in which their life circumstances shape their opportunities to do so. Although access to resources (including financial capital) is important, research on women’s economic strategies suggests that spatial mobility may play an equally critical role. Given that resources are not distributed in geographically uniform patterns, access involves not only availability and eligibility, but also ability to get to where those resources are. This study argues that geographically localized social institutions are (re)produced through people’s daily social and economic practices. The results are differential opportunities for income generation. Therefore, variation in the livelihood strategies people assemble fiom different economic activities reflects their life circumstances. The object of this research is to identify and explain basic patterns of economic strategy usage and outcome in one context, by examining social processes that give rise to different configurations. Employing primary data including 522 in-depth surveys and 15 life/economic histories of women living in Porto Novo, Benin, this study identifies the kinds of strategies women use, the enabling conditions that give rise to particular strategy configurations and examines the ways in which life-circumstances shape women’s economic opportunities. Findings indicate that women use a wide array of different strategies including mono-activity forms involving only one economic activity and ui diverse approaches comprising multiple income sources. Specific strategy configurations emerge firom two enabling conditions - Assets and Mobility. Women's opportunities in livelihood strategy configuration, and hence, their ability to earn a living, reflect localized social institutions {Structures o f Constraint) within their households and communities. While Assets are important. Mobility is even more so. Assets impact type and scale of enterprises, but Mobiiity enables women to overcome limited resources under some conditions, and facilitates their use under others. IV DEDICATION In loving memory of my grandmothers, Ruth Press Jackson and Molly Mandel and my aunt, Elizabeth Velma Hacket Who were all great teachers and provided me a legacy of strong, independent, inspirational women. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Although writing a dissertation is often a solitary affair, this work could only have been completed with support and input from many people. Listed below are just a few of the major contributors to this endeavor. First and foremost I must thank the wonderful OSU faculty with whom I had the privilege to work. Chief among them is Larry Brown, my advisor, who had the patience to let me find my own project and do it in my own way. I am also grateful to him for showing me how to do research, providing opportunities to pursue my interests and trying to teach me two fundamentals to our profession; writing concisely, and "rule number one: everything takes longer than you think its going to." Nancy Ettlinger, also had an enormous impact on my professional development. Her guidance, insight, honesty, and friendship, not only inspired me to work to the highest possible standards, but also gave me confidence in myself and my research. Finishing this project and Ph.D. is in no small measure a function of her support. Paul Robbins stepped onto my committee upon joining the Geography Department. Although I'm sure he had no idea what he was in for, he never turned me away from his office door and provided invaluable feedback and advice. He also taught me to focus on the BIG questions. I am deeply grateful for his support, fiiendship and inspiring me to do "good science". Several other people assisted at critical junctures in this project. Without patience and insight from Steve Holloway this research would never have gotten off the ground. He helped me find the researchable question in my general interest in Afiican women's work. Claire Robertson taught me about Afiican women traders and the importance of an historical perspective. She also provided invaluable guidance on data collection in an VI Afiican context. Jennifer Olsen also shared her vast Afiican fieldwork experience and helped me through the rough spots when I was in Benin. Alan Murray, provided the statistical means for doing what I wanted to with my data when everyone else said it was impossible. Cathy Rakowski was instrumental in providing opportunities to promote my research within Women's Studies. Last, but certainly not least, I must thank Eugene McCann for jumping onto my committee near the end and providing thoughtful feedback. I owe a great debt to many people in Benin as well. Foremost among them are the women of Porto Novo who shared their lives with me by answering so many silly "jovo"questions. Dr. John Igue provided office space at Laboratoire d’Analyse Régionale et d’Expertise Sociale (LARES) and he. Dr. Bio G. Soule, and Yvette Onibon contributed essential advice. 1 am also extremely grateful to my research assistants, Jacques Bangbola, Marguerite Dossou, and Leocadie A1 Hasa, for their fiiendship, enthusiasm and tireless efforts on my behalf. I wish to thank the organizations that funded this research. These include: The National Science Foundation for a Dissertation Enhancement Grant (No. SBR-9711900); the U.S. Department of Education and OSU African Studies Program for a Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship; and OSU for the Women’s Studies Elizabeth E. Gee Grant, and Graduate School Alumni Research Award. I am deeply indebted to Simon Akindes and his family in Porto Novo, for "adopting" me, especially, Meme, Regine and Clotilde. And to Damien who made the work possible by managing the mundane details of daily life in Benin. Numerous firiends in Porto Novo taught me about Béninois culture and made me feel at home particularly, Leon and Christian Midognin, Madame Pauline Pedro and her daughter Raymonde, Sofia Barabota, and the Ahounou family, Wasi, Wasia, Kamal, Kaseem, Kadija, and Madupe. I am similarly blessed by wonderful fiiends in the U.S. My cheerleaders and stats gurus, Sarah Zapolslqf and Emily Cole-Bayer made the work lighter and easier. Many insightful late night conversations about Africa with Tom Bayer helped me keep the work real. Jim Fields, never lost confidence and provided whatever support was most needed. Janet and Andy Ingraham Dwyer made it possible to go to the field without guilt by vu taking care of Gwen. Although I am grateful to all my fiiends and colleagues at OSU for their comradery, I owe a special debt to Fernando Bosco, and Tara Maddock, for their fiiendship and always being available to provide feedback. Most importantly, I am grateful to have an incredible family. My aunt, Marian Bressel, provided practical and emotional support, especially while I was in the field. She also did a tremendous job editing my dissertation. My parents, Jill Jackson and David Mandel never lost faith, even when all my (younger) siblings were actually earning a living. They were my first geography teachers, showing me the world and teaching me about cultures other than my own. I am especially appreciative of both my parents, experienced development professionals working in the field, for encouraging me to think about my research in practical development terms and my father who read every word of my dissertation.