Author(s): Townsend JG, Arrevillaga U, Bain J, Cancino S, Frenk SF, Pacheco S, Perez E
Abstract: The voices we want to speak in this book are those of women pioneers in Mexico's forests. Life histories are important, as is a chapter on 'Representing Voices: What's Wrong with Our Life Histories'. Surveys and group discussions were also used, in eight communities in four states of south-east Mexico. The lot of women is often worsened by settlement; many land settlements lead to poverty rather than prosperity; much settlement is not sustainable. Women pioneers in Mexico would, at this moment, welcome 'development' of any kind and hope to turn it to their advantage. They would welcome almost any exploitation of their men, their children or themselves which would lead to increased income. They rank additional income over sanitation or clean water or reduction in domestic violence. Their expressed wants are for their families, not for themselves, although we heard much of their sufferings from child abuse, marital abuse and alcoholism. There are an extraordinary enthusiasm for women's groups, and a great faith in education.
Notes: This shares a title with 'Voces Femeninas de las Selvas', but it is a different book, written for academics rather than for Mexican NGOs and planners.
Keywords: Land settlement, Mexico, outsiders, insiders, women in development