An Analysis of the Impact of Labour Migration on the Lives of Women in Lesotho

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Periodical article

Title:	An Analysis of the Impact of Labour Migration on the Lives of Women in Lesotho
Author:	Gordon, Elizabeth B.
Year:	1981
Periodical:	Journal of Development Studies
Volume:	17
Issue:	3
Period:	April
Pages:	59-76
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Lesotho
Subjects:	labour migration women family Labor and Employment Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Urbanization and Migration Women's Issues
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388108421798
Abstract:	The women of Lesotho live their lives in reaction to the overwhelming outmigration of their men to work in South Africa. At any time, 40 to 60% of married women are living as wives of absent men. The present study represents the first empirical investigation of the wives' lives in their husbands' absence. Data were obtained from a study of 524 wives of absent migrants throughout Lesotho, and concerned the women's characteristics, attitudes, and, through the development of a strain score, those in the greatest difficulty. The findings suggested a process by which wives of migrants find themselves in increasing difficulty and supported the view of the wives' position as extremely difficult. It did not support the viewpoint of those who posit mitigating circumstances. Speculation as to conditions extant in Lesotho which contribute to this difficulty is presented and accordingly, discretion urged in applying conclusions to other settings. Notes, ref.