Multiple Migratory Experiences of Dominican Women

Bibliographic Data

ID2581771
AuthorsNancie L Gonzalez, Nathaniel J Gonzalez (0000-0001-7518-4754, corresponding author)
Year1976
Volume49
Issue1
Pages36
Publication date1976-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnthropological Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-5491 • E-ISSN: 1534-1518
PublisherJSTOR (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/3316838
OpenAlexW2325951767
LanguageEN
Citations received12

An analysis of sex as a discriminatory factor in the migratory process leads to a consideration of the larger implications of Dominican migration in relation to the political economy of the Caribbean. It is suggested that prostitution, domestic service, and-more recently-work in the United States garment industry, are among the few avenues open to lower class Dominican women seeking to improve their situations. Regardless of her social class, however, a Dominican woman's residence in the United States offers her opportunities not available at home. The extensive out-migration from the Dominican Republic can be seen as being related to the increasing urban unemployment rate and to the decreasing availability of land for small agricultural pursuits. When I was asked to participate in this symposium I agreed readily, since my data included both case studies and statistical materials on Dominican migrants, many of whom are women. Furthermore, a recent book by Hendricks (1974) describes in detail what he calls the Dominican diaspora. But neither Hendricks nor I had consciously thought of sex as a discriminating factor in the migratory process, and I considered it a challenge to attempt an analysis adding this dimension. As I worked through the materials, I arrived at some thoughts about the larger implications of Dominican migration in relation both to the political economy of sex and of the Caribbean. One of my first encounters in the field was Dofia Elisa, a member of the aristocracy, educated in American convents, and widowed with several children, in her early 40's. Though she inherited little from her husband, she had a small income from property left her by her father, a prominent and wealthy businessman. Since she was one of six children, however, the amount was not enough to make her rich by local standards. So she moved to New York where she lived in middleclass style and comfort, educated her children, and later in life returned to 36

Genealogy · Geography · Sociology · Caribbean history, culture, and politics · Gender Studies · History

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