RENEGOTIATING RENEGOTIATING GENDER IN THE BERRY GENDER IN THE BERRY FIELDS OF MICHOACÁN, FIELDS OF MICHOACÁN,

MEXICO MEXICO

22

The Transition From a Male-The Transition From a Male-Dominated Agricultural Domain to Dominated Agricultural Domain to a Female-Intensive Waged Labor a Female-Intensive Waged Labor

forceforce

33

Los Angeles, MichoacLos Angeles, Michoacán, án, MexicoMexico

44

Sugar Mill Closed 2002Sugar Mill Closed 2002

55

Transition Transition

FromFrom

Cane to Cane to

BlackberriBlackberri

eses

66

In the Shadow of the Sugar In the Shadow of the Sugar MillMill

77

Transnational Blackberry Transnational Blackberry AgribusinessAgribusiness

88

The AgribusinessesThe AgribusinessesU.S.U.S. ChileanChilean MexicanMexican

99

1010

The Growers: The Growers: “Everyone thought we were “Everyone thought we were

crazy!"crazy!" RaRaúl Sánchez: 1987, Los Reyesúl Sánchez: 1987, Los Reyes

"I tore out my sugar cane 19 years ago "I tore out my sugar cane 19 years ago and planted one hectare of blackberries. and planted one hectare of blackberries. Everyone thought we were crazy!" Everyone thought we were crazy!"

Leobardo Guillén: 1994, Los AngelesLeobardo Guillén: 1994, Los Angeles"When we began, we didn't know how to "When we began, we didn't know how to produce, not even the experts knew. produce, not even the experts knew. There was no one to buy the fruit. Only There was no one to buy the fruit. Only the popsickle shops wanted it. At times the popsickle shops wanted it. At times we went around selling it in the we went around selling it in the streets!"streets!"

1111

Economic DifferentiationEconomic Differentiation

Sugar Cane (previously):Sugar Cane (previously): 10,000 hectares 10,000 hectares 1500 cane growers 1500 cane growers

Blackberries & Raspberries (2006)Blackberries & Raspberries (2006) 2500-3000 hectares, 400 in Los Angeles 2500-3000 hectares, 400 in Los Angeles

ejidoejido ¾ ¾ of land is rented of land is rented 800-1000 growers800-1000 growers 6.5 million boxes of berries per year6.5 million boxes of berries per year Annual profits of $46,742,720Annual profits of $46,742,720

1212

Concentration of Land, Wealth, Concentration of Land, Wealth, & Resources& Resources

Companies demand growers with Companies demand growers with resources to make technological resources to make technological investments, and who demonstrate investments, and who demonstrate productive success; credit depends on productive success; credit depends on productive efficiencyproductive efficiency

Hursts manager: “The zone is like an Hursts manager: “The zone is like an industry—this is very important at the industry—this is very important at the international level. I am not going to international level. I am not going to risk it. They have to be successful first. risk it. They have to be successful first. This is a business. We are not like This is a business. We are not like Santa Claus!” Santa Claus!”

Wealthy, large-scale growers in Los Wealthy, large-scale growers in Los Reyes are renting up land of small-scale Reyes are renting up land of small-scale growers in Los Angeles growers in Los Angeles

1313

““We are not like Santa We are not like Santa Claus!”Claus!”

—Hursts Manager—Hursts Manager

1414

Growth & Productive Growth & Productive EfficiencyEfficiency

Hortifrut: Exported 1,700,000 Hortifrut: Exported 1,700,000 boxes in 2006boxes in 2006 Sales of its exporting company, Sales of its exporting company,

Global Berry Farms, soared from Global Berry Farms, soared from $72 million in 2001 to $214 million $72 million in 2001 to $214 million in 2005in 2005

The state of Michoacán, exported The state of Michoacán, exported 1,756,592 boxes of blackberries 1,756,592 boxes of blackberries in 2002 and 4,674,272 boxes in in 2002 and 4,674,272 boxes in 20052005

1515

Technological ChangeTechnological Change The costs of cane production were The costs of cane production were

$15,000-$20,000 pesos per hectare; $15,000-$20,000 pesos per hectare; the costs of berry production can be the costs of berry production can be up to $160,000 pesosup to $160,000 pesos

Small-scale growers often lack funds Small-scale growers often lack funds to install irrigation systems, tunnels, to install irrigation systems, tunnels, packing sheds, dining sheds, sheds to packing sheds, dining sheds, sheds to store chemical containers, portable store chemical containers, portable bathrooms, and drinking water and bathrooms, and drinking water and bathing facilities in the fieldbathing facilities in the field

1616

1717

1818

Companies’ Rejection of Companies’ Rejection of FruitFruit

Hurts Example:Hurts Example: Leobardo: “They said the fruit arrived with Leobardo: “They said the fruit arrived with

mold. God knows! How would we know? mold. God knows! How would we know? When the packing company receives our fruit, When the packing company receives our fruit, then it is the company’s responsibility. That is then it is the company’s responsibility. That is what we said, but they denied that. What what we said, but they denied that. What could we do?”could we do?”

Alicia: “Hursts was good at first, but they Alicia: “Hursts was good at first, but they began to reject the fruit. They were saturated began to reject the fruit. They were saturated with growers. I had to work under the hot sun, with growers. I had to work under the hot sun, with the thorns of the blackberries. That made with the thorns of the blackberries. That made me very angry. They returned a mountain of me very angry. They returned a mountain of boxes—60, or 70, or 80, sometimes all of it. It boxes—60, or 70, or 80, sometimes all of it. It made me mad. It was a pretext.”made me mad. It was a pretext.”

1919

Increased Use of Increased Use of AgrochemicalsAgrochemicals

Hursts: 6 rejections of fruit in 2004Hursts: 6 rejections of fruit in 2004 Sunny Ridge: chloramphenicol residues in Sunny Ridge: chloramphenicol residues in

2006 (causes fatal aplastic anemia)2006 (causes fatal aplastic anemia) Grower mentioned chemicals:Grower mentioned chemicals:

Permethrin (Permitrina)—banned in CanadaPermethrin (Permitrina)—banned in Canada Azinphos methyl (GusatiAzinphos methyl (Gusatiónón)—highly toxic)—highly toxic Benomyl (Binolate)—endocrine-disrupting effectsBenomyl (Binolate)—endocrine-disrupting effects Captan—carcinogenic fungicideCaptan—carcinogenic fungicide Carbaryl (SevCarbaryl (Sevín)ín)—endocrine-disrupting effects, —endocrine-disrupting effects,

causes mutationscauses mutations Methyl parathion—organophosphate, “extremely Methyl parathion—organophosphate, “extremely

hazardous”hazardous” Paraquat (Gramaxone, MetParaquat (Gramaxone, Metílico)--#1 cause of ílico)--#1 cause of

chemical poisoningschemical poisonings

2020

ParathionParathion ParaquatParaquat GramocilGramocil CipermetriCipermetrinana

SagaquatSagaquat

FolidanFolidan SevinSevin CaptanCaptan BinolateBinolate Karmex Karmex diurondiuron

Malathion Gusathion

Leobardo—1st berry grower

2121

PricesPrices Pricers paid to growers fluctuate Pricers paid to growers fluctuate

wildly throughout the growing wildly throughout the growing season, from $10.91 to $2.73 per season, from $10.91 to $2.73 per boxbox Each box contains 12-6oz. containers Each box contains 12-6oz. containers

of berries, picked and packed by of berries, picked and packed by womenwomenNote the

electronic

number code

is already

on the

container

2222

““It is a way that the It is a way that the business owners use to business owners use to

screw you” screw you” Berry companies impose a vertically Berry companies impose a vertically

integrated hierarchy of power relations on integrated hierarchy of power relations on growers. Companies contract growers to growers. Companies contract growers to reduce risks of production, while maintaining reduce risks of production, while maintaining control through prices, credit, and acceptance control through prices, credit, and acceptance or rejection of fruit. Growers, in turn, transfer or rejection of fruit. Growers, in turn, transfer their lack of control over prices to field their lack of control over prices to field workers. It is the berry picker at the bottom workers. It is the berry picker at the bottom of this chain of command who must put in of this chain of command who must put in excessive hours without additional pay, risk excessive hours without additional pay, risk her health, and accept inferior wages, which her health, and accept inferior wages, which remain a pittance in comparison with the remain a pittance in comparison with the humongous profits earned by the agroexport humongous profits earned by the agroexport industry.industry.

2323

Discordant Feminist Discordant Feminist Theories: Theories:

75-80% of berry pickers are women75-80% of berry pickers are women Women’s emancipation via waged Women’s emancipation via waged

labor?labor?(Acevedo)(Acevedo)

Women exploited as waged laborers?Women exploited as waged laborers?

(Acosta-Bel(Acosta-Beléén and Bose) n and Bose)

““The End to Dichotomy”?The End to Dichotomy”?(Cubbit and Greenslade, Dore) (Cubbit and Greenslade, Dore)

2424

Changes in Gender RolesChanges in Gender Roles

Women owned sugar cane, but men Women owned sugar cane, but men worked in the fieldsworked in the fields

1982 Women acquired ejido land for 1982 Women acquired ejido land for cane productioncane production

Used proceeds to form a cooperative Used proceeds to form a cooperative tortilla factorytortilla factory

Rental of former cane lands for Rental of former cane lands for blackberry production (Barbara blackberry production (Barbara Berries)Berries)

2525

Women’s Empowerment?Women’s Empowerment?

2626

Sun Belle Sun Belle (Chilean)(Chilean)

Sun Belle hires 650 temporary Sun Belle hires 650 temporary workers, but retains 120 workers workers, but retains 120 workers throughout the yearthroughout the year

Women earn $1.09 per box for Women earn $1.09 per box for picking and $10.91 per day for picking and $10.91 per day for working in the packing shedworking in the packing shed

2727

Mexican Agronomist:Mexican Agronomist: ““The Chileans are of a distinct The Chileans are of a distinct class. They like order. Their class. They like order. Their relationships are somewhat relationships are somewhat closed. They try not to closed. They try not to become involved with the become involved with the campesinoscampesinos. .

The Chileans have a very overpowering The Chileans have a very overpowering attitude. Sometimes they rob the peopleattitude. Sometimes they rob the people—there are people who don’t know how —there are people who don’t know how to read or write and they reduce the to read or write and they reduce the number of boxes they deliver. If the number of boxes they deliver. If the women realize how they are being women realize how they are being exploited, it is not part of their culture to exploited, it is not part of their culture to complain. All the Chileans care about is complain. All the Chileans care about is their profit.”their profit.”

2828

Leonor Leonor (abandoned):(abandoned):““We work a lot of We work a lot of hours and they pay hours and they pay us very little. If us very little. If they pay us the they pay us the wrong amount they wrong amount they tell us we have to tell us we have to wait another two wait another two weeks.weeks. Three months ago they paid us and they Three months ago they paid us and they gave me $700 pesos [she was owed gave me $700 pesos [she was owed $1180, since she had been working until $1180, since she had been working until 9:00 PM every night; 700 workers had 9:00 PM every night; 700 workers had been underpaid].been underpaid].

2929

Leonor, continued:Leonor, continued:

““Do you know what? They humiliate us. I Do you know what? They humiliate us. I told the secretary, ‘This is not my pay.’ told the secretary, ‘This is not my pay.’ She said, ‘How can it not be your pay if this She said, ‘How can it not be your pay if this is what you earned?’ We grabbed our lunch is what you earned?’ We grabbed our lunch and we were crying.” and we were crying.”

Sun Belle was paying Leonor $110 pesos Sun Belle was paying Leonor $110 pesos

per day; at the same time, men earned per day; at the same time, men earned $120 per day, or $150 when they fumigated $120 per day, or $150 when they fumigated the plants with chemicals. But during the the plants with chemicals. But during the picking season when she is in charge of picking season when she is in charge of accounting for each picker's boxes, Leonor accounting for each picker's boxes, Leonor takes her bookwork home, spending two takes her bookwork home, spending two hours every evening, without pay. Berry hours every evening, without pay. Berry picking leads to the superexploitation of picking leads to the superexploitation of women workers who may work from 7:00 women workers who may work from 7:00 AM until 8:00 or 9:00 PM.AM until 8:00 or 9:00 PM.

3030

Double Exploitation of Double Exploitation of Indigenous WomenIndigenous Women

The indigenous people get together in The indigenous people get together in a big group and they make demands. a big group and they make demands. It is the most difficult thing to work It is the most difficult thing to work with them. They don't speak Spanish with them. They don't speak Spanish and they don't understand. There is a and they don't understand. There is a lot of ignorance. They have a very lot of ignorance. They have a very low culture. If there is the slightest low culture. If there is the slightest irregularity, they leave“irregularity, they leave“—Sun Belle Manager—Sun Belle Manager

3131

Tarascan Tarascan Women Women WorkersWorkers

3232

The Berry WorkersThe Berry Workers

Work for companies, Los Reyes Work for companies, Los Reyes growers, and Los Angeles growersgrowers, and Los Angeles growers

Ages 13-67, different stages of the Ages 13-67, different stages of the life cyclelife cycle

Diverse marital statuses (married, Diverse marital statuses (married, single, abandoned, widowed)single, abandoned, widowed)

Different economic backgroundsDifferent economic backgrounds Education (few completed 6Education (few completed 6thth grade) grade)

3333

Raquel, age 67Raquel, age 67—Field Boss of Wealthy, Los Reyes Grower—Field Boss of Wealthy, Los Reyes Grower

““He is field boss, but he does nothing. From He is field boss, but he does nothing. From 7:00 in the morning until 7:00 at night we 7:00 in the morning until 7:00 at night we [seven women] picked 150 boxes, and he is [seven women] picked 150 boxes, and he is in the packing shed and does nothing.” in the packing shed and does nothing.”

““He spent the day drunk. When he became He spent the day drunk. When he became angry with us, he yelled, “Who did this? Ass angry with us, he yelled, “Who did this? Ass holes! Once his wife was working and he hit holes! Once his wife was working and he hit her.” her.”

““The real truth is, if we place a complaint to The real truth is, if we place a complaint to the owner, they are going to chase us away, the owner, they are going to chase us away, and what are we going to do? One supposes and what are we going to do? One supposes that the owner will fire the field boss and us that the owner will fire the field boss and us too. Yes, there is an opportunity to improve too. Yes, there is an opportunity to improve things, but they can fire us”things, but they can fire us”

3434

“She

looks

older

than she

is”

--Lizbeth’s

Mother

3535

““O-o-o-h! Zapatos!” O-o-o-h! Zapatos!” Age, Marital Status, & Age, Marital Status, &

Contribution to Household Contribution to Household IncomeIncome MostMost young, single women free young, single women free

to spend personal incometo spend personal income Laura: "The first week I was Laura: "The first week I was

dizzy with the money I earned! I dizzy with the money I earned! I couldn't believe it! My sisters couldn't believe it! My sisters never told me what they were never told me what they were earning.“earning.“

Single mother: “O-o-o-h! Single mother: “O-o-o-h! Zapatos! Clothes! Aye! How Zapatos! Clothes! Aye! How great! I no longer feel great! I no longer feel dependent on asking my dad for dependent on asking my dad for money.”money.”

3636

““My salary is spent so that all My salary is spent so that all

the family can eat. the family can eat.

Nothing is left for Nothing is left for

clothes, clothes, no clothing, no clothing,

nothing, nothing”nothing, nothing”--Leonor--Leonor

Abandoned WomenAbandoned Women

3737

Widows: “What Else Was I Widows: “What Else Was I Going to Do?”Going to Do?”--Cheli--Cheli

Guillermina, abandoned by her Guillermina, abandoned by her husband, crossed the border with husband, crossed the border with the service of a coyote in 2004. the service of a coyote in 2004. Unable to adjust, she returned to Unable to adjust, she returned to Los Angeles and works picking Los Angeles and works picking berries.berries.

The day she crossed, the coyote The day she crossed, the coyote was abducted and brutally was abducted and brutally murdered. He was the husband of murdered. He was the husband of another berry worker, now widowed another berry worker, now widowed with five young children.with five young children.

3838

Married WomenMarried Women ““We work out of We work out of

necessity. It is not necessity. It is not for pleasure that we for pleasure that we work and scratch work and scratch ourselves up with all ourselves up with all those thorns. I those thorns. I barely earn enough barely earn enough to eat”to eat” --Raquel--Raquel

3939

Married WomenMarried Women Trinidad: “Don’t think that I earn enough to buy Trinidad: “Don’t think that I earn enough to buy

food and clothes. One week I buy one thing and food and clothes. One week I buy one thing and the next week the other. I eat very little. I think I the next week the other. I eat very little. I think I have to save money to pay the gas, and then the have to save money to pay the gas, and then the electric bill arrives. And we don’t have [health] electric bill arrives. And we don’t have [health] insurance.”insurance.”

Teresa: “It has improved some, but not much, hey? Teresa: “It has improved some, but not much, hey? The prices have increased and it is not enough. The prices have increased and it is not enough. The crisis is always here. Agriculture does not pay The crisis is always here. Agriculture does not pay a good salary. Put $120 for the pay, and a kilo of a good salary. Put $120 for the pay, and a kilo of meat costs $70. Yes, we have the ability to buy meat costs $70. Yes, we have the ability to buy what is necessary. We are a little better for paying what is necessary. We are a little better for paying our loans. We hardly buy, we buy only what is our loans. We hardly buy, we buy only what is necessary.”necessary.”

Alicia: “We use our earnings to buy cell phones, Alicia: “We use our earnings to buy cell phones, bicycles, Intendo, and Barbies.”bicycles, Intendo, and Barbies.”

Magdalena: “My main objective is to buy a “moto.”Magdalena: “My main objective is to buy a “moto.”

4040

Global Berry Farms

AGRICOLA LOS REYES

GARABAY MORALES IRMA

Irma & RafaelIrma & Rafael

4141

“…“…until we until we were holding in were holding in our stomachs. our stomachs. We didn’t even We didn’t even have $5 [pesos] have $5 [pesos] because of the because of the bathroom”bathroom”--Yolanda--Yolanda

4242

The Wages of Work The Wages of Work

4343

Ten Boxes = Ten Boxes = $10.90 $10.90 Dollars Per DayDollars Per Day

= $1.09 Per Box= $1.09 Per Box

= $.09 Cents Per = $.09 Cents Per ContainerContainer

4444

““Look, well they are exploiting Look, well they are exploiting us really pretty!”us really pretty!” –Genoeva –Genoeva

4545

Why Women?Why Women?

Sun Belle Manager: Men have Sun Belle Manager: Men have migrated to better-paid jobs in the U.S.migrated to better-paid jobs in the U.S.

Women become substitute labor to Women become substitute labor to supplant the lack of male waged supplant the lack of male waged laborerslaborers

When men do work, they always When men do work, they always receive higher wages than women receive higher wages than women

What ideology justifies differential What ideology justifies differential wages for men and women? wages for men and women?

4646

Segmenting the Berry Segmenting the Berry Labor MarketLabor Market

““Men’s Work”Men’s Work”

4747

““Women’s Work”Women’s Work”

4848

Rosa Rosita Proceso

Rosita Rosa

Proceso

4949

Can Men Pick Berries?Can Men Pick Berries?

5050

“I feel dizzy when they demand, ‘Pick more boxes!’ You get dizzy from rushing so”

--Magdalena

5151

Before

After

““The work screws you a lot and it is The work screws you a lot and it is little that they pay”little that they pay”--Victoria--Victoria

5252

;;

“This is really hard work for a man and we have to do it—Aye! My arms really get tired. And your clothes get worn out [with the thorns]” --Raquel

5353

““I Don’t Know Why, It Is Natural”I Don’t Know Why, It Is Natural” --Hursts --Hursts

ManagerManager ““Heavy” & “Hard” Work-- $150Heavy” & “Hard” Work-- $150

““Light” & “Easy” Work -- $120Light” & “Easy” Work -- $120 “Men do heavy“Men do heavy things.things.

Women are better at Women are better at picking berries. picking berries.

I don’t know why, it is I don’t know why, it is natural.”—Hursts Managernatural.”—Hursts Manager

““The man works with the The man works with the weed whip and the tank, weed whip and the tank, all of all of this the woman can this the woman can not not do”--Orlandodo”--Orlando

“Weediando

”

--Orlando

5454

““I Am Not Going to Put a I Am Not Going to Put a Woman at Risk”Woman at Risk”--Homero--Homero

““The woman is not The woman is not going to wear a going to wear a tank on her back. tank on her back. The chemicals The chemicals penetrate her skin penetrate her skin more easily. I am more easily. I am not going to put a not going to put a woman at risk”woman at risk”

5555

"For me it is an ethical issue, it is "For me it is an ethical issue, it is somewhat moral. The woman is more somewhat moral. The woman is more

delicate. The man is more brutish“delicate. The man is more brutish“--Sun Belle Manager--Sun Belle Manager

5656

““Nimble Fingers”Nimble Fingers”

5757

The Wriggling Finger The Wriggling Finger SyndromeSyndrome

Imputing tactile sensitivity and agile dexterity unique Imputing tactile sensitivity and agile dexterity unique to women:to women:

““The woman is more delicate, The woman is more delicate, she has more delicate she has more delicate manipulation” manipulation” – Hortifrut Manager– Hortifrut Manager

““We employ more women We employ more women because of the sensitivity of the because of the sensitivity of the fingers they possess” fingers they possess” -- VBM--- VBM-

Giumarri RepresentativeGiumarri Representative

5858

Right to a Safe Work Right to a Safe Work EnvironmentEnvironment

Codex Alimentarius (MRL)

Eurepgap

USgap

EPA

FDA

USDA

No women workersKnew what

chemicals they were exposed to

5959

““Sometimes My Stomach Churns”Sometimes My Stomach Churns” --Guillermina--Guillermina ““It smells awful. When they It smells awful. When they

fumigate sometimes my stomach fumigate sometimes my stomach churns. I don’t know what they are churns. I don’t know what they are spraying—many things”spraying—many things”--Guillermina--Guillermina

““The smell is strong. Some get sick The smell is strong. Some get sick and vomit”and vomit”—Alejandra—Alejandra

““My eyes burned and I couldn’t My eyes burned and I couldn’t stand it. Many vomit and have stand it. Many vomit and have headaches”headaches”–– VictoriaVictoria

6060

Workers reported suffering Workers reported suffering dizziness, allergic rashes, red eyes, dizziness, allergic rashes, red eyes, runny noses, headaches, and sore runny noses, headaches, and sore throats throats

““Aye! How awful it smells! Aye! How awful it smells!

But what am I going to do? But what am I going to do?

I have to support my kids”I have to support my kids”——CheliCheli

6161

Disaster at Sun BelleDisaster at Sun Belle

Methyl bromide tankMethyl bromide tank Laura’s sister & sister-in-law, Laura’s sister & sister-in-law,

vomiting, inability to breathevomiting, inability to breathe ““Those who weren’t screwed so Those who weren’t screwed so

badly” were also hospitalizedbadly” were also hospitalized

6262

““Externalities”Externalities” Exposure of women to these dangerous Exposure of women to these dangerous

chemicals poses the invisible health risk chemicals poses the invisible health risk of women’s berry work. of women’s berry work.

The conceptual separation of people and The conceptual separation of people and nature carries an inherent danger.nature carries an inherent danger.

Pesticide poisoning becomes an Pesticide poisoning becomes an “externality” whose costs to workers “externality” whose costs to workers and the public remain uncontemplated.and the public remain uncontemplated.

Weak monitoring and long-term, chronic Weak monitoring and long-term, chronic effects are poorly understood, yet the effects are poorly understood, yet the “technological fix” of agribusiness “technological fix” of agribusiness production simply neglects the hazards production simply neglects the hazards posed to human health. posed to human health.

6363

Defining “Work”Defining “Work”

Underpaid work in the berry fields Underpaid work in the berry fields garners recognition based on garners recognition based on conceptions of inherent bio-physical conceptions of inherent bio-physical differences of men and women. Denial differences of men and women. Denial that the tedious work of harvesting and that the tedious work of harvesting and the back-breaking work of tending to the back-breaking work of tending to plants is equivalent to the “heavy” work plants is equivalent to the “heavy” work of men trivializes both the labor and the of men trivializes both the labor and the wages of women. Equally important wages of women. Equally important skills are subordinated to “weight” and skills are subordinated to “weight” and “strength” as a measurement of the “strength” as a measurement of the value of work.value of work.

6464

EmpowermentEmpowerment

AutonomyAutonomy Self-Confidence & Self-EsteemSelf-Confidence & Self-Esteem Decision MakingDecision Making Economic IndependenceEconomic Independence Equity in Family RelationshipsEquity in Family Relationships Right to a Safe Work Right to a Safe Work

EnvironmentEnvironment

6565

““Just because I earn money Just because I earn money does not give me more rights does not give me more rights

in the house” in the house” —Guadalupe—Guadalupe

Extra-domestic labor empowers women:Extra-domestic labor empowers women: ¼ ¼ Single & Married WomenSingle & Married Women All Abandoned Women, Most WidowsAll Abandoned Women, Most Widows

““My self-esteem has grown, but it is not My self-esteem has grown, but it is not because I have more power”because I have more power”—Alicia—Alicia

““When the woman earns money, she When the woman earns money, she says she has more rights to give orders says she has more rights to give orders in the house. In some cases, the couple in the house. In some cases, the couple separates”separates”--Guadalupe--Guadalupe

6666

AliciaAlicia Husband Pascual is a lawyer & berry growerHusband Pascual is a lawyer & berry grower ““Here in the house, everyone makes Here in the house, everyone makes

decisions. Here, there is no king or queen. decisions. Here, there is no king or queen. I decide what I want. My husband does not I decide what I want. My husband does not influence me. We talk. Here, we are equal.“influence me. We talk. Here, we are equal.“

““I leave at 6:45 in the morning, pick up my I leave at 6:45 in the morning, pick up my people, I pick up the field boss, I arrive at people, I pick up the field boss, I arrive at the the campocampo, and I grab my bucket. Don’t , and I grab my bucket. Don’t think that I am in the packing shed! think that I am in the packing shed! Fumigating—no, but I deliver the workers, I Fumigating—no, but I deliver the workers, I pick, I work in the packing shed, cutting pick, I work in the packing shed, cutting weeds, driving the tractor.”weeds, driving the tractor.”

““If it wasn’t on our own land, he would not If it wasn’t on our own land, he would not let me work”let me work”

6767

Liberation from Liberation from HouseholdHousehold ¼ ¼ women reported NO disadvantages of berry workwomen reported NO disadvantages of berry work

““It is a long, sad day to be here in the house”—It is a long, sad day to be here in the house”—MargaritaMargarita

““I don’t like to be in the house much, I get desperate. I don’t like to be in the house much, I get desperate. At times I am sick, I go to the fields, and I am fine”—At times I am sick, I go to the fields, and I am fine”—MarMaríaía

““I was very content when I was in the I was very content when I was in the campocampo. I like to . I like to sing, I like to chat. At times I took along my little bread sing, I like to chat. At times I took along my little bread in my pocket and I ate while I picked. Talking [with in my pocket and I ate while I picked. Talking [with others], the day went by fast—Oliviaothers], the day went by fast—Olivia

““I feel more content working, I no longer think of my I feel more content working, I no longer think of my

problems. Working in the campo, I relax, and I don’t problems. Working in the campo, I relax, and I don’t spend so much time thinking about things. We work spend so much time thinking about things. We work together, we talk about our problems and how we feel, together, we talk about our problems and how we feel, and when you have a problem, sharing it, you forget and when you have a problem, sharing it, you forget about it”--Guillerminaabout it”--Guillermina

6868

Autonomy Compromised?Autonomy Compromised?Fathers & Husbands & Berry WorkFathers & Husbands & Berry Work

Fathers: protective of daughtersFathers: protective of daughters Husbands: control women’s activitiesHusbands: control women’s activities ““When we asked my father to work, at that When we asked my father to work, at that

time, the woman did not work in the time, the woman did not work in the campocampo. Only widows and abandoned . Only widows and abandoned women worked in the women worked in the campocampo. There was a . There was a lot of machismo. My father did not want lot of machismo. My father did not want us to work. He said, ‘What I earn is us to work. He said, ‘What I earn is sufficient.’ Only because it was for our sufficient.’ Only because it was for our uncle did he let us work. We convinced uncle did he let us work. We convinced him.”him.”--Victoria--Victoria

6969

Patriarchal ControlPatriarchal Control

““We hardly do We hardly do anything. We anything. We have to ask have to ask permission to permission to leave the house. leave the house. If there is a fiestaIf there is a fiesta—nothing like —nothing like this. To go out this. To go out into the street, to into the street, to fiestas, we can’t. fiestas, we can’t. Sometimes we do Sometimes we do things secretly in things secretly in order to go out.”order to go out.”----LupeLupe

7070

Chava: “Robada”Chava: “Robada”

7171

Compatibility of Compatibility of Patriarchy and Patriarchy and AgribusinessAgribusiness Patriarchy and protection of Patriarchy and protection of

women’s virtuosity remains a women’s virtuosity remains a relevant value in everyday social life. relevant value in everyday social life.

Social norms and cultural values that Social norms and cultural values that bind young women to the patriarchal bind young women to the patriarchal family emphasize the very traits that family emphasize the very traits that the berry companies find desirable: the berry companies find desirable: proclivity to serve others, docility, proclivity to serve others, docility, and obedience. and obedience.

7272

The Household as Contested Locus of The Household as Contested Locus of Competing Interests, Rights, and Competing Interests, Rights, and

ResourcesResources

““Because people would think that I Because people would think that I don’t have enough to support you”don’t have enough to support you”——MarMarías husbandías husband

““I would say, ‘Let me,' and ‘No,’ and I would say, ‘Let me,' and ‘No,’ and 'Let me,' and ‘No.’ When his cousin 'Let me,' and ‘No.’ When his cousin needed workers, then suddenly, he needed workers, then suddenly, he said “yes” said “yes” --Magdalena--Magdalena

““I went to work secretly”I went to work secretly”--Irma--Irma

7373

““It made me angry for a little It made me angry for a little while”while”

——Irma’s HusbandIrma’s Husband

““When I die, you can When I die, you can

go to work”go to work”--Olivia’s Husband--Olivia’s Husband

7474

““All the women that work All the women that work in the berries get big in the berries get big

bellies”bellies”--Magdalena--Magdalena

Berry Fields & Women’s Sexuality Berry Fields & Women’s Sexuality Out of Men’s ControlOut of Men’s Control

7575

Changing Attitudes?Changing Attitudes?

““Why would I want a lazybones, to Why would I want a lazybones, to maintain him and to maintain myself maintain him and to maintain myself too? I no longer want a boyfriend or to too? I no longer want a boyfriend or to marry”marry”--Ana--Ana

““I am no longer afraid that my husband I am no longer afraid that my husband will abandon me or leave me a widow”will abandon me or leave me a widow”——MargaritaMargarita

More single, abandoned women nowMore single, abandoned women now Most married women must ask Most married women must ask

permission to leave the housepermission to leave the house

7676

Self-Confidence Self-Confidence (85%)(85%)

& Self-Esteem & Self-Esteem (65%)(65%)

““I have more I have more confidence that I can confidence that I can do things. In the do things. In the campocampo I feel free. I feel free. In the house is where In the house is where you loose your you loose your esteem”esteem”—Gloria—Gloria

““I value myself more, I I value myself more, I am not afraid to make am not afraid to make decisions. And that is decisions. And that is very important”very important”--Alicia--Alicia

7777

Decision MakingDecision Making

““Having a salary, you have the Having a salary, you have the right to speak”right to speak”—Victoria—Victoria

¾ ¾ Married women & share Married women & share decision making with husbandsdecision making with husbands

¼ ¼ Married women make Married women make independent decisionsindependent decisions

7878

Abandoned & Widowed Abandoned & Widowed WomenWomen

Autonomy & decision making derive not Autonomy & decision making derive not from berry work per sefrom berry work per se

But from the fact they are now But from the fact they are now independent from former spousesindependent from former spouses

““When he was alive, he ordered me. When he was alive, he ordered me. Everything changed. Yes, [now] there is Everything changed. Yes, [now] there is more freedom for me”more freedom for me”——Olivia (widow)Olivia (widow)

““Look, now when I arrive from working, I Look, now when I arrive from working, I alone decide. Before, he scolded a lot. If alone decide. Before, he scolded a lot. If I would go some place, he would order I would go some place, he would order me around. My husband did not me around. My husband did not appreciate me”appreciate me”——Guillermina (abandoned)Guillermina (abandoned)

7979

Equity in Family Equity in Family Relationships Relationships “I put myself in front of the TV”--Homer

8080

Equality in Household Equality in Household TasksTasks

50% husbands increased help 50% husbands increased help with taskswith tasks Sweep, mop floors, prepare mealsSweep, mop floors, prepare meals ““Even my friends have seen me Even my friends have seen me

wash dishes”—Martwash dishes”—Martínín Ana (age 3)—father washing Ana (age 3)—father washing

dishesdishes Ana’s brother—moppingAna’s brother—mopping

8181

Unpaid Household WorkUnpaid Household Work

““In the house, I have to do it, it is my In the house, I have to do it, it is my obligation. We are nothing more than obligation. We are nothing more than work horses!”work horses!”—Teresa—Teresa

““I no longer I no longer workedworked for anything”— for anything”—CheliCheli

““I had never I had never workedworked before” before”—Guadalupe—Guadalupe

““Before, only the man worked and now Before, only the man worked and now we all work. I went to we all work. I went to workwork because I because I didn’t want to be a lazybones”didn’t want to be a lazybones”—Margarita—Margarita

"When there was pure cane, the woman "When there was pure cane, the woman did not have did not have workwork““—Expofrut representative—Expofrut representative

8282

““I enjoy myself working in the I enjoy myself working in the campo. I arrive home tired”campo. I arrive home tired”----

VictoriaVictoria

“The man sleeps, rests, and we are screwed”

--Isabel

8383

““It Is Good, None of the Women It Is Good, None of the Women Worked Before and Now They Can Worked Before and Now They Can

Work”Work”--Imelda--Imelda

““Before with the cane, only the Before with the cane, only the men worked”men worked”—Cheli—Cheli

““It is good—even though it is It is good—even though it is badly paid”badly paid”--Margarita--Margarita

““It improved the economy. It It improved the economy. It changed a lot. Now everyone has changed a lot. Now everyone has their cell phonetheir cell phone””

--Alicia--Alicia

8484

The Darker Side of The Darker Side of Discourses:Discourses:

Continuing machismoContinuing machismo Doubled workloads Doubled workloads Minimum improvement Minimum improvement

of living standardsof living standards

8585

The Fateful End of The Fateful End of Machismo?Machismo?

““Machismo is machismo. It can not be Machismo is machismo. It can not be changed”changed”—Trinidad—Trinidad

““I don’t feel empowered. I feel the I don’t feel empowered. I feel the same. Here, the one who orders is the same. Here, the one who orders is the man.” [Why?] “Because that is the way man.” [Why?] “Because that is the way it is here”it is here”—Yolanda—Yolanda

““We have always felt equal [with men]. We have always felt equal [with men]. The woman, if she wants, can be equal, The woman, if she wants, can be equal, or better. It is very much better for the or better. It is very much better for the woman”woman”—Gloria—Gloria

““How is it much better? I would say that How is it much better? I would say that no. In our family, not all are equal”no. In our family, not all are equal”--Victoria, Gloria’s sister, in responseVictoria, Gloria’s sister, in response

8686

Domestic ViolenceDomestic Violence Market-driven forces undermined men’s ability Market-driven forces undermined men’s ability

to provide for their familiesto provide for their families This spawned a crisis of masculine identityThis spawned a crisis of masculine identity And led to an increase in the incidence of domestic And led to an increase in the incidence of domestic

violenceviolence ““There are women who want to work, but out There are women who want to work, but out

of jealousy, the husband doesn’t want them of jealousy, the husband doesn’t want them to. If both work, the woman flies freely. But to. If both work, the woman flies freely. But even when the husband does not permit it, even when the husband does not permit it, some go and that is where the problems come some go and that is where the problems come out. Sometimes they hit the woman—some out. Sometimes they hit the woman—some yes. One woman was pregnant and her yes. One woman was pregnant and her husband beat her, so she left him. Yes, it is husband beat her, so she left him. Yes, it is changing, now women defend themselves. In changing, now women defend themselves. In the the campocampo her friends give her advice” her friends give her advice”--Marisa--Marisa

8787

Men as Men as Dependent/MaintainedDependent/Maintained

““The men have become lazybones. It The men have become lazybones. It is the men who take lunch to the is the men who take lunch to the women. Now the woman earns more women. Now the woman earns more than the man”than the man”–Margarita–Margarita

““I think that when women work picking I think that when women work picking berries it makes their husbands lazy”berries it makes their husbands lazy”——AliciaAlicia

““If my woman wants to If my woman wants to

maintain me, I am happy!”maintain me, I am happy!”

——Jorge, Sun Belle agronomistJorge, Sun Belle agronomist

8888

““The woman works more than the The woman works more than the man—that is the real truth. And man—that is the real truth. And the men are on the corners, only to the men are on the corners, only to see who is coming and going”see who is coming and going”——VictoriaVictoria

8989

An uncomfortable relationship An uncomfortable relationship persists between deeply ingrained persists between deeply ingrained machismo and the new reality of machismo and the new reality of agribusiness export production agribusiness export production dependent on women as a low-waged dependent on women as a low-waged work force. work force.

Macho attitudes and behaviors Macho attitudes and behaviors remain prevalent, yet many men are remain prevalent, yet many men are yielding to the new reality. yielding to the new reality.

““The woman was always more docile. The woman was always more docile. Now the woman is earning and they Now the woman is earning and they [men] don’t yell at them so easily. [men] don’t yell at them so easily. Yes, you can see the change”Yes, you can see the change”--Olivia--Olivia

9090

Independence Independence Self-confidenceSelf-confidence Self-esteemSelf-esteem Decision makingDecision making

Substandard Substandard wageswages

MachismoMachismo Exposure to toxic Exposure to toxic

chemicalschemicals

9191

Dichotomous thinking Dichotomous thinking compresses the multiple compresses the multiple dimensions of women’s dimensions of women’s

identity into an identity into an essentialized model of essentialized model of

empowered or empowered or disempowered women disempowered women

9292

Empowerment AssessedEmpowerment Assessed Empowerment constitutes a package of Empowerment constitutes a package of

qualities qualities Different women reported achieving Different women reported achieving

some dimensions of empowerment, but some dimensions of empowerment, but few achieved the whole packagefew achieved the whole package

The complexly patterned relationships The complexly patterned relationships among these variables vary with age, among these variables vary with age, marital status, stage in the life cycle, marital status, stage in the life cycle, and individual proclivityand individual proclivity

Such a pattern is to be expected in an Such a pattern is to be expected in an analysis that avoids essentializing the analysis that avoids essentializing the lives of rural Mexican womenlives of rural Mexican women

9393

Macro-Level Macro-Level TransformationsTransformations

Neoliberal policies respond to the Neoliberal policies respond to the WTO’s phasing out of government WTO’s phasing out of government support for small-scale farmers, support for small-scale farmers, retraction of price subsidies, and retraction of price subsidies, and reduction of import tariffs, creating reduction of import tariffs, creating markets in which small farmers are markets in which small farmers are unable to compete, thus opening the unable to compete, thus opening the door for increasing international door for increasing international agribusiness investmentagribusiness investment

9494

NAFTANAFTA The most significant factor The most significant factor

contributing to the loss of 2 million contributing to the loss of 2 million jobs in Mexicojobs in Mexico

NAFTA systematically undermines NAFTA systematically undermines agrarian values such as land agrarian values such as land stewardship, healthy family stewardship, healthy family relationships, and community liferelationships, and community life

Ch. 11 of NAFTA fosters downward Ch. 11 of NAFTA fosters downward harmonization of food safety standards harmonization of food safety standards

9595

Transnational Blackberry Transnational Blackberry Agro-IndustriesAgro-Industries

Established Established hierarchies of hierarchies of power that reach power that reach into the packing into the packing sheds, berry sheds, berry fields, and the fields, and the households of households of men displaced men displaced from cane from cane production and production and women freed for women freed for berry picking.berry picking.

9696

Hortifrut Blackberry Hortifrut Blackberry OrchardOrchard

9797

A political economy that fosters A political economy that fosters agribusiness, drawing scarce agribusiness, drawing scarce resources away from rural resources away from rural communities to provision communities to provision consumers 1000’s of miles away consumers 1000’s of miles away with luxury fruits, fails to enrich with luxury fruits, fails to enrich household and community life.household and community life.

9898

9999

100100

101101

102102

103103

104104

Corporate Profits vs. Human Corporate Profits vs. Human ValuesValues

105105

““WTO rules foster an industrial WTO rules foster an industrial agricultural model that is at the heart of agricultural model that is at the heart of

pesticide use”pesticide use” Of 3,285 pesticides for which the Of 3,285 pesticides for which the

Codex has standards, 1,539 are Codex has standards, 1,539 are illegal in the United Statesillegal in the United States

MRL petitions submitted to NAFTA MRL petitions submitted to NAFTA should conform to GAP standards should conform to GAP standards

Yet for blackberries, only three field Yet for blackberries, only three field tests are required for the 3,000 tests are required for the 3,000 hectares in the Los Reyes region hectares in the Los Reyes region

106106

As women struggle for As women struggle for

empowerment…empowerment… global forces maintain substandard global forces maintain substandard

wages, expose them to dangerous wages, expose them to dangerous chemicals, andchemicals, and incur tremendous incur tremendous costs of transporting global costs of transporting global commodities, not for local commodities, not for local consumption, but for consumers who consumption, but for consumers who will never will never realize the labor and human realize the labor and human costs of providing them costs of providing them those plastic containers those plastic containers filled with delectable fruitsfilled with delectable fruits