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‘The unbearable heaviness of being’

Author

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  • Katherine Brickell

    (Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London)

  • Sylvia Chant

    (Department of Geography, & Environment, London School of Economics & Political Science)

Abstract

Reviewing existing scholarship and drawing on our own experience of microlevel qualitative research on gender in countries in three regions of the Global South (Cambodia, the Philippines, Costa Rica and The Gambia), this article examines patterns of women’s altruistic behaviour within poor family-based households. As a quality and practice labeled as ‘feminine’, the article illuminates the motives, dimensions and dynamics that characterise this apparently enduring female trait. It also makes some tentative suggestions as to how the links between women and altruism might be more systematically examined, problematized and addressed in development, and gender and development (GAD) analysis and policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Katherine Brickell & Sylvia Chant, 2010. "‘The unbearable heaviness of being’," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 10(2), pages 145-159, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:10:y:2010:i:2:p:145-159
    DOI: 10.1177/146499340901000204
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Sylvia Chant, 2006. "Re-thinking the “Feminization of Poverty” in Relation to Aggregate Gender Indices," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(2), pages 201-220.
    4. M. V. Lee BADGETT & Nancy FOLBRE, 1999. "Assigning care: Gender norms and economic outcomes," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 138(3), pages 311-326, September.
    5. Leah Vanwey, 2004. "Altruistic and contractual remittances between male and female migrants and households in rural Thailand," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 41(4), pages 739-756, November.
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    7. Bina Agarwal, 1997. "''Bargaining'' and Gender Relations: Within and Beyond the Household," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 1-51.
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