Cookies?
Library Header Image
LSE Research Online LSE Library Services

Single-parent families: choice or constraint? The formation of female-headed households in Mexican shanty towns

Chant, Sylvia (1997) Single-parent families: choice or constraint? The formation of female-headed households in Mexican shanty towns. In: Visvanathan, Nalini, Duggan, Lynne, Nisonoff, Laurie and Wiegersma, Nan, (eds.) The Women, Gender and Development Reader. Zed Books, London, UK, pp. 155-166. ISBN 9781856491426

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Third World women were long the undervalued and ignored actors in the development process but are now recognized as playing a critical role. This book has been designed as a comprehensive reader presenting the best of the now vast body of literature that has grown up alongside this acknowledgement. The book is divided into five parts, incorporating readings from the leading experts and authorities in each field. The first part acts as an introduction to the field, examining the key theoretical debates and discourses surrounding women and development from a historical perspective. Distinguished practitioners explore the ideas and concepts fundamental for understanding the area: class, ‘race’ and ethnicity, religion, reproduction, persistent inequalities, colonialism, modernization, economic exclusion and patriarchy. Part two goes on to look at the household as a unit of analysis; exploring sexuality, single-parent families, agricultural production, and environmental relationships while the third part locates women within the global economy, addressing issues such as industrialization, multi-national companies, Free Trade Zones , the informal sector and the feminization of labour. Part four views the social transformation of women as a consequence of Structural Adjustment Policies and intrusive state policies into women’s health, reproductive rights and sexuality. Next, the volume poses the fundamental questions around women and ideology; do national liberation struggles contradict with feminist movements? What is the impact of religious fundamentalism? Are socialist development processes similar or dissimilar to capitalist processes? How has the transition to capitalism affected women? The final section of the book shows how women from the ground up are organizing themselves for change. Case studies drawn from all regions, such as China’s one-child policy, prostitution tourism in Southeast Asia and women’s place in Cuban socialism, vividly illustrate the theoretical debates. A guide to further reading at the end of each chapter provides a foundation for any serious student of women in the development process.

Item Type: Book Section
Official URL: http://www.zedbooks.co.uk
Additional Information: © 1997 Zed Books
Divisions: Geography & Environment
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Date Deposited: 17 Feb 2009 10:21
Last Modified: 15 Sep 2023 08:47
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/22802

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item