Women and Seasonal Labour Migration

"This book on women by women has attempted to question the basic formulation of theoretical constructs in the area of migration as they have failed to capture situations elaborated in the book. The book is based on extensive field work and on observed realities. It has successfully highlighted the major problems women hgave to face under distress conditions.... It is a welcom addition to the existing literature on studies bearing on migration, women's studies and poverty reduction strategies." --Deccan Herald "This extremely well-researched volume concentrates on the migration patterns and transformation processes in differing socio-economic, cultural and ecological circumstances.... This book asserts that development also means that women's autonomy also is an important facet in policy-making. It calls for a rethink at all levels.... The book provides ample material on the socio-economic consequences of the eroding family structures from the standpoint of female migration.... Policy-planners and development theorists would do well to put this scholarship on the board white framing strategies. Thereby not just the industry concerned will get more value for its money, but it will also further enthuse the labour.... This book may be having forerunners on similar lines, but the focus it provides on gender identification is distinct and altogther thought provoking." --Business Line "The authors have in deft detail investigated the level of poverty and the perennial struggle for survival, which force woment to move in search of work either with their families or, in some cases, on their own.... The book raises several vital questions: to what extent does poverty force these women to migrate? Is not lack of employment opportunity within their own state an equally compelling reason? Is migration merely a survival strategy or is it to satisfy new desires and demands?" --The Tribune How does seasonal labor migration affect rural Indian society? Why have past studies on seasonal migration been male-centered? In this important volume, contributors examine these and other questions as they relate to four Indian states--Orissa, Kerala, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. After a concise overview on migration studies, three case studies are presented that typify crucial transformation processes related to different socioeconomic, cultural, ecological, and livelihood systems: the forest, the sea, and the land. These case studies also explore different categories of women involved in the migration process: married, unmarried, abandoned, and tribal women staying behind while men migrate. The picture that emerges from the case studies presented is grim, demonstrating that the economic gains are minimal and the status of women sees little improvement. An major contribution to the literature on migration patterns, Women and Seasonal Labour Migration will be of interest to students and scholars in development studies, gender studies, economics, and sociology.Schenk-Sandbergen, Loes is the author of 'Women and Seasonal Labour Migration', published 1995 under ISBN 9780803992191 and ISBN 080399219X.