Does gender dynamics in intra-household decision making shift with male migration? Evidence from rice-farming households in Eastern India

Mohan, Rohini Ram and Puskur, Ranjitha and D., Chandrasekar and Valera, Harold Glenn (2022): Does gender dynamics in intra-household decision making shift with male migration? Evidence from rice-farming households in Eastern India. Published in: Gender, Technology and Development , Vol. 27, No. 2 (22 December 2022): pp. 157-183.

Abstract

This paper unpacks the complex relationship between migration of men and the decision-making power of the women who ‘stay behind’ in Bihar, Eastern India. We use mixed methods research design to assess whether women perceive a shift in decision making ‘authority’ between different members in households where men migrate and examine the subjective meanings of these shifts. Using a retrospective survey, we map the extent to which women report shifts in decision making ‘authority’ after migration of male member. Decision-making is examined for various activities classified into four domains: agricultural practices, labor allocation, machinery and purchase of productive assets, and household expenditure and activities. Overall, patterns indicate a nominal change in the proportional distribution of perceived household decision authority for all categories and shift towards joint decision making (by wife and husband) emerging as an important trajectory. Using multinomial regression and interpretative analysis of qualitative findings, the paper sheds light on the role of age, family type, household and migrant characteristics in shaping the direction of shifts, and limiting the transfer of meaningful bargaining power to women. The paper makes a case that transformation of the patriarchal habitus requires a more substantial transformation of livelihood capitals.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Migration, Decision-making, Women, India, Habitus
• Subjects: J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J2 - Demand and Supply of Labor > J22 - Time Allocation and Labor Supply; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J6 - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers > J61 - Geographic Labor Mobility ; Immigrant Workers

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