The migratory processes imply a gender differentiation ranging from the decision to migrate to the different options for incorporation into the welcoming societies. On the other hand, migration is one of the responsible forces for a change in gender relationships. The objective of this paper was to analyze gender differences in two immigrant populations living in Madrid . From a population of 96 Maghrebian women and 125 Latin American women, we selected those who had or had had a stable couple. Differences between spouses as to age at marriage, schooling, access to work and working sectors in their respective countries of origin and in Spain as well as the impact of migration were also analyzed. Greater differences between spouses were found in the Maghrebian population and a greater access to work market for the immigrant women living in Spain. The results pointed to a shift in gender relationships in the context of migration that might negatively affect physical and psychical health of women. © 2006 1999, Editorial Ciencias Médicas.

Latin American population Immigration Gender differences Maghrebian population

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