Journal of Population Research
Volume 25, Issue 3, 2008, Pages 337-355

Negotiated identities: Male migration and left-behind wives in India (Article)

Desai S.* , Banerji M.
  • a University of Maryland, 2112 Art-Sociology Building, College Park, MD 20742, United States
  • b University of Maryland, 2112 Art-Sociology Building, College Park, MD 20742, United States

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of husbands' migration on the lives of women left behind. Using data from the India Human Development Survey 2005, we focus on two dimensions of women's lives: women's autonomy and control over their lives; and women's labour force participation. Results suggest that household structure forms the key mediating factor through which husbands' absence affects women. Women not residing in extended families are faced with both higher levels of responsibilities and greater autonomy, while women who live in extended households do not experience these demands or benefits. © Springer Science+Business Media 2008.

Author Keywords

Womens mobility Migration Internal migration IHDS Womens autonomy Family structure Consequences of migration India Intra-household decisions Womens labour force participation Gender

Index Keywords

family structure Eurasia Asia household structure India household survey South Asia labor participation womens status internal migration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-62649083770&doi=10.1007%2fBF03033894&partnerID=40&md5=4272cf22d8f39c8a34487f8479ad8536
DOI: 10.1007/BF03033894
ISSN: 14432447
Cited by: 49
Original Language: English