Reinforcing, negotiating and resisting gender norms among reunited couples in Mexico: An intersectional critical ethnography

AbstractThis article examines the reunification experiences and gender dynamics of reunited Mexican couples post-migration, and the intersections that shape those experiences. In 2021, we conducted a critical ethnographic study guided by intersectionality theory in Veracruz, Mexico. We interviewed w...

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Main Authors: Higinio Fernández-Sánchez, Jordana Salma, Sara Dorow, Bukola Salami
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2023-12-01
Series:Cogent Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2023.2276139
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author Higinio Fernández-Sánchez
Jordana Salma
Sara Dorow
Bukola Salami
author_facet Higinio Fernández-Sánchez
Jordana Salma
Sara Dorow
Bukola Salami
author_sort Higinio Fernández-Sánchez
collection DOAJ
description AbstractThis article examines the reunification experiences and gender dynamics of reunited Mexican couples post-migration, and the intersections that shape those experiences. In 2021, we conducted a critical ethnographic study guided by intersectionality theory in Veracruz, Mexico. We interviewed women who stayed behind (n = 20), return migrants (n = 12), health care providers (n = 6), and community leaders (n = 12). Data was analyzed using thematic analysis using NVivo software as aid. We found that the intersection of age, gender, and employment status influenced gender relations among reunited couples postmigration. Couples reinforced, negotiated, and resisted pre-established gender norms in Agua Dulce. The findings suggest that women have the capacity to act on the relationship pathway upon the return of their migrant partners at the dynamic intersection of age, gender, and employment status. These must be understood against the backdrop of gender norms in the study context. This article provides an important theoretical contribution to research and policy. The contribution lies in the rich intersectional understanding of how and why relationships are affected in different ways depending on intersecting factors across the pre-, during, and post- migration experience. Policymakers and stakeholders can use it to identify ways to enhance women’s agency.
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spelling doaj.art-c9832dd03c5d4b9fae0b6c259b3847cf2023-12-12T12:45:37ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Social Sciences2331-18862023-12-019210.1080/23311886.2023.2276139Reinforcing, negotiating and resisting gender norms among reunited couples in Mexico: An intersectional critical ethnographyHiginio Fernández-Sánchez0Jordana Salma1Sara Dorow2Bukola Salami3Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Houston, USAFaculty of Nursing, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, CanadaFaculty of Arts, Department of Sociology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, CanadaFaculty of Nursing, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, CanadaAbstractThis article examines the reunification experiences and gender dynamics of reunited Mexican couples post-migration, and the intersections that shape those experiences. In 2021, we conducted a critical ethnographic study guided by intersectionality theory in Veracruz, Mexico. We interviewed women who stayed behind (n = 20), return migrants (n = 12), health care providers (n = 6), and community leaders (n = 12). Data was analyzed using thematic analysis using NVivo software as aid. We found that the intersection of age, gender, and employment status influenced gender relations among reunited couples postmigration. Couples reinforced, negotiated, and resisted pre-established gender norms in Agua Dulce. The findings suggest that women have the capacity to act on the relationship pathway upon the return of their migrant partners at the dynamic intersection of age, gender, and employment status. These must be understood against the backdrop of gender norms in the study context. This article provides an important theoretical contribution to research and policy. The contribution lies in the rich intersectional understanding of how and why relationships are affected in different ways depending on intersecting factors across the pre-, during, and post- migration experience. Policymakers and stakeholders can use it to identify ways to enhance women’s agency.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2023.2276139critical ethnographygenderintersectionalityMexicoreturn migration
spellingShingle Higinio Fernández-Sánchez
Jordana Salma
Sara Dorow
Bukola Salami
Reinforcing, negotiating and resisting gender norms among reunited couples in Mexico: An intersectional critical ethnography
Cogent Social Sciences
critical ethnography
gender
intersectionality
Mexico
return migration
title Reinforcing, negotiating and resisting gender norms among reunited couples in Mexico: An intersectional critical ethnography
title_full Reinforcing, negotiating and resisting gender norms among reunited couples in Mexico: An intersectional critical ethnography
title_fullStr Reinforcing, negotiating and resisting gender norms among reunited couples in Mexico: An intersectional critical ethnography
title_full_unstemmed Reinforcing, negotiating and resisting gender norms among reunited couples in Mexico: An intersectional critical ethnography
title_short Reinforcing, negotiating and resisting gender norms among reunited couples in Mexico: An intersectional critical ethnography
title_sort reinforcing negotiating and resisting gender norms among reunited couples in mexico an intersectional critical ethnography
topic critical ethnography
gender
intersectionality
Mexico
return migration
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2023.2276139
work_keys_str_mv AT higiniofernandezsanchez reinforcingnegotiatingandresistinggendernormsamongreunitedcouplesinmexicoanintersectionalcriticalethnography
AT jordanasalma reinforcingnegotiatingandresistinggendernormsamongreunitedcouplesinmexicoanintersectionalcriticalethnography
AT saradorow reinforcingnegotiatingandresistinggendernormsamongreunitedcouplesinmexicoanintersectionalcriticalethnography
AT bukolasalami reinforcingnegotiatingandresistinggendernormsamongreunitedcouplesinmexicoanintersectionalcriticalethnography