Paying Down the Care Deficit: The Health Consequences for Grandmothers Caring for Grandchildren in a Mexican Migrant Community of Origin
While significant research addresses global chains of care work from the perspective of female migrant workers engaged in low-paid, unstable domestic labor in “receiving” communities, little research has focused on those who substitute for migrant workers to provide care in communities of origin. Th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
2012-12-01
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| Series: | Anthropology & Aging |
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| Online Access: | http://anthro-age.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/anthro-age/article/view/31 |
| _version_ | 1819157921410318336 |
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| author | Mary Alice Scott |
| author_facet | Mary Alice Scott |
| author_sort | Mary Alice Scott |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | While significant research addresses global chains of care work from the perspective of female migrant workers engaged in low-paid, unstable domestic labor in “receiving” communities, little research has focused on those who substitute for migrant workers to provide care in communities of origin. This article addresses that gap by focusing on the health consequences of care work for grandmothers in southern Veracruz, Mexico who assume the primary responsibility for caring for their grandchildren when the parents migrate out of the community. Based in the literature on care work and transnational families, this ethnographically-based article argues that grandmothers suffer consequences for their own health in three ways. They must deduct from their own health care resources – including time and money – to provide for their grandchildren. They must concede to the exploitation of already ill bodies to engage in the physical care of children and the household. Finally, they must transfer energy for self-care to caring for others thereby exacerbating their own existing health issues in order to meet the physical and emotional needs of their grandchildren. The article calls for further research in this area that aims to develop solutions to the problem of “care substitution” in transnational families. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T16:16:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c5bd87e9755146878f0bcbd8b4470274 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2374-2267 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T16:16:21Z |
| publishDate | 2012-12-01 |
| publisher | University Library System, University of Pittsburgh |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Anthropology & Aging |
| spelling | doaj.art-c5bd87e9755146878f0bcbd8b44702742022-12-21T18:20:21ZengUniversity Library System, University of PittsburghAnthropology & Aging2374-22672012-12-0133414215210.5195/aa.2012.3130Paying Down the Care Deficit: The Health Consequences for Grandmothers Caring for Grandchildren in a Mexican Migrant Community of OriginMary Alice Scott0New Mexico State University, Department of AnthropologyWhile significant research addresses global chains of care work from the perspective of female migrant workers engaged in low-paid, unstable domestic labor in “receiving” communities, little research has focused on those who substitute for migrant workers to provide care in communities of origin. This article addresses that gap by focusing on the health consequences of care work for grandmothers in southern Veracruz, Mexico who assume the primary responsibility for caring for their grandchildren when the parents migrate out of the community. Based in the literature on care work and transnational families, this ethnographically-based article argues that grandmothers suffer consequences for their own health in three ways. They must deduct from their own health care resources – including time and money – to provide for their grandchildren. They must concede to the exploitation of already ill bodies to engage in the physical care of children and the household. Finally, they must transfer energy for self-care to caring for others thereby exacerbating their own existing health issues in order to meet the physical and emotional needs of their grandchildren. The article calls for further research in this area that aims to develop solutions to the problem of “care substitution” in transnational families.http://anthro-age.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/anthro-age/article/view/31Intergenerational relationshipsfamily, migrationscareMexico |
| spellingShingle | Mary Alice Scott Paying Down the Care Deficit: The Health Consequences for Grandmothers Caring for Grandchildren in a Mexican Migrant Community of Origin Anthropology & Aging Intergenerational relationships family, migrations care Mexico |
| title | Paying Down the Care Deficit: The Health Consequences for Grandmothers Caring for Grandchildren in a Mexican Migrant Community of Origin |
| title_full | Paying Down the Care Deficit: The Health Consequences for Grandmothers Caring for Grandchildren in a Mexican Migrant Community of Origin |
| title_fullStr | Paying Down the Care Deficit: The Health Consequences for Grandmothers Caring for Grandchildren in a Mexican Migrant Community of Origin |
| title_full_unstemmed | Paying Down the Care Deficit: The Health Consequences for Grandmothers Caring for Grandchildren in a Mexican Migrant Community of Origin |
| title_short | Paying Down the Care Deficit: The Health Consequences for Grandmothers Caring for Grandchildren in a Mexican Migrant Community of Origin |
| title_sort | paying down the care deficit the health consequences for grandmothers caring for grandchildren in a mexican migrant community of origin |
| topic | Intergenerational relationships family, migrations care Mexico |
| url | http://anthro-age.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/anthro-age/article/view/31 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT maryalicescott payingdownthecaredeficitthehealthconsequencesforgrandmotherscaringforgrandchildreninamexicanmigrantcommunityoforigin |