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Gender relations and the family farm in Western Europe
Abstract The paper focuses upon the impact of changing relations between farmers and spouses in the context of the restructuring of the rural economy and increasing female participation in labour markets. It is based upon a study of the connections between the succession process in agriculture and family relationships [Blanc, M. and Perrier-Cornet, P. (1989) Renouvellement des forces de travail et formes de production familiales en agriculture (les installations d'agriculteurs au cours de la decennie soixante-dix). Montpellier, INRA, Departement d'Economie et de Sociologie Rurales, Montpellier]. It argues that for farmer's wives, off-farm work, participation in other farm-based enterprises and occupational status result from a negotiation of power relations within the farm operating couple. Such changes are bringing about a distinct form of pluriactivity among farm families, with an emerging trend towards husbands being occupied full-time on-farm and wives off-farm. The paper deals with the future of family farming in connection with these changes. The role played by the ideology of family farming in sustaining these emerging forms of production is examined. The individuation of aspirations, especially for women, is considered an important factor in terms of labour market involvement. However, it is argued that the resolution of the impact of such changes on the domestic sphere and the farm is dependent upon a process of negotiation between the farmer and spouse.
Gender relations and the family farm in Western Europe
Abstract The paper focuses upon the impact of changing relations between farmers and spouses in the context of the restructuring of the rural economy and increasing female participation in labour markets. It is based upon a study of the connections between the succession process in agriculture and family relationships [Blanc, M. and Perrier-Cornet, P. (1989) Renouvellement des forces de travail et formes de production familiales en agriculture (les installations d'agriculteurs au cours de la decennie soixante-dix). Montpellier, INRA, Departement d'Economie et de Sociologie Rurales, Montpellier]. It argues that for farmer's wives, off-farm work, participation in other farm-based enterprises and occupational status result from a negotiation of power relations within the farm operating couple. Such changes are bringing about a distinct form of pluriactivity among farm families, with an emerging trend towards husbands being occupied full-time on-farm and wives off-farm. The paper deals with the future of family farming in connection with these changes. The role played by the ideology of family farming in sustaining these emerging forms of production is examined. The individuation of aspirations, especially for women, is considered an important factor in terms of labour market involvement. However, it is argued that the resolution of the impact of such changes on the domestic sphere and the farm is dependent upon a process of negotiation between the farmer and spouse.
Gender relations and the family farm in Western Europe
Blanc, Michel (author) / MacKinnon, Niall (author)
Journal of Rural Studies ; 6 ; 401-405
1991-01-01
5 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Gender relations and farm household pluriactivity
Elsevier | 1992
|Review Essays - Gender, Language, and Urban Social Relations in Europe, 1540-1850
Online Contents | 1999
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