Do seu lugar para o lugar dos outros: a migração de mulheres e sua inserção no trabalho doméstico

Abstract

The aim of this research is to understand, from the point of view of social development, rural urban migrations by women in relation to their taking domestic jobs in the city of Montes Claros (Minas Gerais, Brazil). After reviewing the literature on migration and development and the main theoretical approaches regarding the migration process, a discussion about migration and gender highlights the relation between these themes considered as a social problem as well as a sociological object. A qualitative research was conducted, by means of in-depth interviews (following a plan) with six migrant women individually, and participating observation (with a field diary). The results show the economic motive as the main drive for leaving their original community. Montes Claros is a center of attraction of migrant women for domestic work. The networks of relatives play a role in the decisions and accomplishment of the migrations. The community of origin shows frequent migration for domestic work, moved by information brought from the city of destination, the latter’s lifestyle (socioeconomic conditions) and reliability. The women interviewed do not see themselves as migrant or someone displaced, but recognize themselves for their work, for being domestic workers. This recognition happens to occur to a greater extent among the group of such workers themselves. In the community of origin, social recognition is based on the rewards of the domestic work.