… todo se volvió loco: cambios y continuidades en los roles de género y autonomía de mujeres pareja de migrantes retornados

Abstract

The present article analyzes changes and continuities in gender relationships and autonomy among wives of returned migrants in the city of Teocelo, Veracruz, Mexico. For that purpose, we used a qualitative method, specifically, the analysis of life stories as reported by seven local women. The departure, absence, and return of a migrant husband entails a series of changes in the practices and subjectivities of wives. These changes have to be negotiated with the returnee to maintain the couple relationship and family ties. The present study stresses the importance of continuing research on migration using a gender perspective to properly acknowledge and evaluate the experience of women married to migrant returnees. The present analysis seeks to contribute to gender-sensitive studies on the phenomenon of migration.