Migración femenina de “larga duración” y acuerdos de cuidados. Una mirada desde el Trabajo Social en origen y destino

Abstract

The migration of women as heads of households is possible because "other women" guarantee the well-being of the children remaining in origin. Normally, extended family assumes this task, based on reciprocal relationships and gender, but also on personal interests or economic expectations. Based on a study with Bolivian families, in this article we provide an analysis of the logic of child care assumed by family members such as grandmothers, aunts or daughters of migrant women, also showing the different types of care. From a transnational perspective, we analyze the migrant women speeches from Bolivia, as well as the children and caregivers in origin´s ones. The separation, which was thought as a short time strategy, is often prolonged in time, with effects on care arrangements previously agreed. In our analysis, we identify aspects such as male overload, irresponsible paternity or temporary situations of neglect on children. We are interested in showing them, in order to think in a social global intervention from Social Work, taking into consideration care conditions of migrant families and their risks.