Hierarchical households and gendered migration in Latin America: feminist extensions to migration research

It is argued that migration theory can be advanced by analysing gender differences in migration processes by bringing together feminist empirical work from diverse settings within Latin America in order to illustrate and discuss theoretical extensions to migration research.

Abstract

In this review essay, the author argues that migration theory can be advanced by analyzing gender differences in migration processes. The author brings together feminist empirical work from diverse settings within Latin America in order to illustrate and discuss theoretical extensions to migration research. In particular, the discussion focuses on the centrality of intra-household power relations and dynamics for understanding who migrates, and with what consequences. The author further argues that these theoretical understandings emerge from the culturally and historically specific operation of processes in particular places within Latin America.