Caring for Survival: Motherwork and Sustainable Feminisms

Abstract

The structure and functioning of poor families have been deeply changed by processes of globalization. The concentration of capital in core areas of the world economy, for example, has spurred massive migrations, as many poor families in the Global South are faced with the decision of sinking further into poverty together or sending a member North in search of survival wages (Sassen, 1998). In places in the Global South where migration is not a viable response to economic crisis, families find other creative ways to make do (Moser, 1993). Compounding poverty, political instability in many areas threatens family safety and health (Lentin, 1997; Davies, 1994). In all situations of marginality and vulnerability, family survival and well-being depend on creative means of survival. This survival is often gendered.

Citation

Schmalzbauer, L., Verghese, A. and Vadera, M. (2007), "Caring for Survival: Motherwork and Sustainable Feminisms", Sarker, S. (Ed.) Sustainable Feminisms (Advances in Gender Research, Vol. 11), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 43-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1529-2126(07)11003-1