Geography and gender in the rural environment: some lines of analysis

Abstract

The transformations occurring at present in the rural environment can be more accurately interpretated by incorporating a gender perspective. In order to verify this statement, three interrelated subjects of priority interest in present day rural geography are examined: recent migration, with special emphasis on return migration; female employment aspects of rural industrial development; and unequal levels of access and welfare of individuals. The results of the analysis of each topic clearly demonstrate the undelying influence of gender relationships, given that the deficient access which women suffer accentuates their isolation and diminishes their access to information and rural employment. This has consequently encouraged the emigration of younger women, thus producing a demographic unbalance. From a methodological viewpoint it is essential to make use of micro-scale studies of detailed interviews and, in general, of «soft» techniques, given that conventional sources of information cannot be considered reliable (not even available in some cases) for the subjects chosen.