Portland State University PDXScholar Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses Winter 2-28-2013 Women's Actions and Reactions to Male Migration: A Case Study of Women in San Juan Guelavía, Oaxaca, Mexico Julie Boyles Portland State University Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds Part of the Public Administration Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Policy Commons, and the Social Welfare Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Boyles, Julie, "Women's Actions and Reactions to Male Migration: A Case Study of Women in San Juan Guelavía, Oaxaca, Mexico" (2013). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 659. https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.659 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. Women’s Actions and Reactions to Male Migration: A Case Study of Women in San Juan Guelavía, Oaxaca, Mexico by Julie Boyles A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs and Policy Dissertation Committee: Mary King, Chair Jack Corbett Charles Heying Craig Shinn Margaret Everett Portland State University 2013 Abstract Using a mixed methods, interdisciplinary case study approach, this research project explores the benefits, risks, and challenges of male migration for women who reside in San Juan Guelavía, Oaxaca, Mexico. In a unique approach in the field of migration studies, this project considers not only women whose husbands have migrated—absent husbands—but also the impact of male migration on women whose husbands have returned as well as women whose husbands have never left— anchored husbands. Women with returned husbands and even women with anchored husbands feel the threat, worry, and fear that male migration could, at an unknown point in the future, fragment their family. This case study approach looks at how women’s work responses are differentiated by husbands’ migration status, by age, and by husband’s control over women’s activities. Women with absent husbands tend be income-producing women as well as women ages 35 to 50 far more than women 35 and under and 50 and over. With motherhood as a cultured priority of rural Mexican women, women’s income-producing opportunities are primarily limited to options within the home or in venues that can accommodate their children until the children enter school. Although this case study showed little or no connection between male migration and educational attainment, substantial policy-worthy findings suggest that the lack of value that residents of San Juan Guelavía place on the local public high school curriculum negatively impacts educational attainment of children i beyond middle school. Women’s traditional and cultural emphasis of marriage for their daughters as well as their reluctance to expose daughters to the negative influences of the city sway the decisions that women make for their daughters. ii Agradecimientos (Acknowledgements) It is with great appreciation that I thank the following individuals that have had a positive impact on my dissertation and doctoral work. First, my greatest appreciation to two stellar Portland State University faculty members without whom this dissertation likely never would have taken place. Dr. Jack Corbett introduced me to Oaxaca and played a major role in my insatiable curiosity for understanding the Oaxaca context. Dr. Corbett’s vast knowledge and embeddedness in day-to-day Oaxacan life and long and extensive history living and thriving in the culture offered insight and understanding that could not have been gained in any other way. Thank you, Dr. Jack. Dr. Mary King is owed as large of thanks as I can offer. I benefited greatly from her support, her high expectations, and the sound guidance that she consistently provided. Her positive spirit impacted me throughout this trying process. Her professionalism peppered with friendship, kindness, and understanding has meant a great deal to me. The rest of my dissertation committee provided assistance, feedback, and support for which I am grateful. Dr. Charles Heying always offered me a “you-can- do-it” attitude with enlightening conversations and an open ear. Dr. Craig Shinn provided the grounding in Public Affairs and Policy and offered more-than-favorable comments late in the process that helped keep me motivated. Dr. Margaret Everett iii brought a perspective not offered by others and a connection to Oaxaca that was appreciated. Certainly, the women and a few young women in San Juan Guelavía deserve my thanks. Women invited me into their homes, introduced me to their family, and nourished me with fresh juices and responses to my myriad of curiosities and questions. My valued primary research assistant, Nohemí, deserves special recognition for her devotion to my process, her ready smile and delightful laugh, and continued connection beyond the project. To the few friends and family that saw me through this entire process, thank you. To the friends and close relationships that evolved in Oaxaca, thank you. To those that have made this journey through a doctorate degree and a dissertation more manageable, more pleasurable, and more gratifying, thank you. iv Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ iii List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ vii List of Figures ......................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1: Introduction, the Research Question, and the Value of the Study ..... 1 Rural Mexican Women and Male Migration ............................................................................ 1 Research Question .......................................................................................................................... 11 Value of This Study ......................................................................................................................... 17 Dissertation Overview ................................................................................................................... 19 Chapter 2: Literature Review ............................................................................................. 22 Literature: Fragmented, Contentious, and Ambivalent .................................................. 22 Chapter 3: Conceptual Framework, Methodology, and the Essential Setting ... 67 Conceptual Orientation and Framework............................................................................... 67 Research Design: Case Study ...................................................................................................... 70 Research Methods ........................................................................................................................... 73 The Setting .......................................................................................................................................... 86 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 99 Chapter 4: Guelavían Women and Male Migration .................................................. 100 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 100 The Women of Guelavía .............................................................................................................. 103 Households, Male Migration, and the Women of Guelavía .......................................... 110 Threats, Risks, and Fears of Male Migration ...................................................................... 138 Keeping Men at Home .................................................................................................................. 151 v Chapter 5: Women, Work, and Male Migration ........................................................ 158 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 158 Oaxaca Women’s Work and Guelavía ................................................................................... 159 A Que Se Dedican Los Guelavíans? (What Do Guelavíans Do for Work?) ............. 164 Which Women Work? .................................................................................................................. 166 Programs and Policies: A Help or Hurt? .............................................................................. 181 Chapter 6: Women, Education, and Male Migration ............................................... 186 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 186 Education in San Juan Guelavía ............................................................................................... 188 Middle School Heightened Risks and Education Value Revealed ............................