Antes del Amanecer [Up Before Dawn]: Work-Family Strategies of Asparagus Agricultural Wage Workers
Open Access
- Author:
- Castro Bernardim, Maria Del
- Graduate Program:
- Rural Sociology
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- July 20, 2017
- Committee Members:
- Carolyn E. Sachs, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Carolyn E. Sachs, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Kathryn Braiser, Committee Member
Leif Jensen, Committee Member
Sarah A Damaske, Outside Member - Keywords:
- Gender
Wage Workers
Agricultural Labor
Feminization of Labor
Household labor
Family
Global South
Perú
Labor
NTAE - Abstract:
- This dissertation examines the impacts of the global shifts in agricultural organization and the feminization of labor on the everyday lives of agricultural wage workers in one of the most successful industries in the Non-Traditional Agricultural Exports (NTAE) in Latin America, the Peruvian asparagus industry. By looking at the intersection of labor conditions, household labor, and gender and family dynamics in a context of global economic restructuring, this study seeks to understand workers’ gendered experiences and family dynamics to manage and overcome the challenges presented when trying to reconcile their work responsibilities both at asparagus farms and in their homes. Moreover, this dissertation examines the institutional responses put it in place to respond to worker challenges. This study followed a case study approach in two asparagus-producing villages in the major region of green asparagus production in Peru, Ica. Between November 2015 and 2016, more than 70 qualitative interviews with key informants and female and male agricultural workers employed on farms with differing scales of production were conducted. Interviews were complemented with observational notes in order to record and understand everyday activities in the context of asparagus agricultural production. The key findings suggest that gender differences, scale of production, and household’ dynamics shape the labor workload and dynamics both at the asparagus farm and at home. The data also suggest that asparagus workers’ “temporary” status –a feature of this industry- but ongoing commitment to the industry, lead to labor informality and flexibility. Additionally, the study finds that women workers have greater responsibility in the home and with regard to their children.