This study examines changes in work, health and family patterns among men who migrate seasonally between Mexico and the United States. A representative sample of 219 Mexican seasonal migrants to California was obtained in Jalisco, Mexico. The data were generated through a household survey and in-depth follow-up interviews. The findings indicate that migrants experience marked changes and tradeoffs in roles and lifestyles which are reflected in the workplace and the family. In contrast, changes in physical health associated with seasonal migration seem far less apparent. Beyond the economic function of providing jobs and income, migration performs a significant social function which is described in the context of seasonal lifestyles.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Alcantara FerrerS. and Sanchez RuizE.1985Desarrollo Rural en Jalisco: Contradicciones y Perspectivas. Jalisco.
2.
ArizpeL.1983 “The Rural Exodus in Mexico and Mexican Migration to the United States”. In The Border that Joins Mexican Migrants and U.S. Responsibilities. Edited by BrownP. G. and ShueH. New Jersey.
3.
ArizpeL.1978 “Mujeres Migrantes y Economia Campesina: Analisis de una Cohorte Migratoria a la Ciudad de Mexico, 1940-1970”, America Indigena.38:306–326.
4.
BacaR. and RyanD.1985 “Mexican Women, Migration and Sex Roles”, Migration Today.13:14–18.
5.
BrinkleyJ.1986 “U.S. Set to Act on Mexico Border Drug Flow”, The New York Times. New York.
6.
BustamanteJ.1984 “Migration Interna e Internacional y Distribucion del Ingreso. La Frontera Norte de Mexico”, Comercio Exterior.34:849–863. Mexico City.
7.
BustamanteJ.1978 “Commodity Migrants: Structural Analysis of Mexican Immigration to the United States”. In Views Across the Border. The United States and Mexico. Edited by RossS. Albuquerque.
8.
CorneliusW.1982Mexican Immigrants and Southern California: A Summary of Current Knowledge. Research Report Series 36. Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies, San Diego.
9.
CorneliusW.1981Legalizing the Flow of Temporary Migrant Workers from Mexico: A Policy Proposal. Working Papers in U.S.-Mexican Studies, 7, San Diego.
10.
CortesM.1985California's Shadow Population: The Impact of Undocumented Immigrants from Latin America on Stale Health and Social Service Policies and Programs. Berkeley.
11.
DinermanI.1982Migrants and Stay-At-Homes: A Comparative Study of Rural Migration from Michoacan, Mexico. Monograph Series No. 5, Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies, San Diego.
12.
Folch-LyonE and TrostJ.1981 “Conducting Focus Group Sessions”, Studies in Family Planning.12:443–449.
13.
GuendelmanS.1985 “Children's Health Needs in Seasonal Immigration”, Journal of Public Health Policy.6:493–509.
14.
GuendelmanS and Perez-ItriagoA.1987 “The Changing Role of Women in Migration”, Journal of Women's Studies.13:249–271.
15.
Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social-Coplamar1984Tepehuaje Health Center Annual Report. Mexico.
16.
LichtenbergJ.1983 “Mexican Migration and U.S. Policy: A Guide for the Perplexed”. In The Border that Joins. Mexican Migrants and U.S. Responsibility. Edited by BrownP.G. and ShueH. New Jersey.
17.
LomnitzL.1977Networks and Marginality. Life in a Mexican Shantytown. New York.
18.
MarshallR.1978 “Economic Factors Influencing the International Migration of Workers”. In Views Across the Border. The United States and Mexico. Edited by RossS. Albuquerque.
19.
MinesR. and MartinP.1986A Profile of California Farmworkers. Giannini Information Series N86-2, Berkeley.
20.
MinesR. and KearneyM.1982The Health of Tulare County-Farmworkers: A Report of 1981 Survey and Ethnographic Research for the Tulare County. California.
21.
National Center for Health Statistics: TrevinoF. and MossA.1984Health Indicators for Hispanic, Black and White Americans, Vital and Health Statistics. Series 10, No. 148, Washington D.C.
22.
NorthD.1983 “Impact of Legal, Illegal and Refugee Migrations on U. S. Social Service Program”. In U.S. Immigration and Refugee Policy. Edited by KritzM.M. Massachussetts.
23.
Perez-ItriagoA. and GuendelmanS. In Press “Role Models and Parallel Lives: Mexican Migrant Women Return Home”. In International Migration in the Developing World. Edited by AppleyardR.A.Geneva: Center Intergovernamental de Migration.
24.
PortesA.1983 “International Labor Migration and National Development”. In U.S. Immigration and Refugee Policy. Edited by KritzM.M. Massachussetts.
25.
PortesA.1981 “Undocumented Immigration and the International System: Lessons from Recent Legal Mexican Immigrants to the United States”. In Mexican Immigrant Workers in the U.S.. Edited by Rios-BustamanteA. Los Angeles.
26.
RobertsK.1981Agrarian Structure and Labor Migration in Rural Mexico. Working Papers in U.S.-Mexican Studies, 30, San Diego.
27.
RunstenD. and Le VeenP.1981Mechanization and Mexican Labor in California Agriculture, Monographs in U.S.-Mexican Studies. 6, San Diego.
28.
SchumacherA.1981Agricultural Development and Rural Employment: A Mexican Dilemma. Working Papers in U.S.-Mexican Studies, 21, San Diego.
29.
WiestR.1979 “Anthropological Perspectives on Return Migration: A Critical Commentary”. Papers in Anthropology, 20:167–187.
