Contestations for Left Behind Males through Transnational Relationships? Gender, remittances, houshold roles & transnational spousal relations in Kumasi, Ghana
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2012-06-01
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en
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This study has focussed on gender differences in remittance behavior on both sending and receiving
side, and the influence of migration of the spouse and consequential remittance behavior on genderdifferentiated
household roles and spousal relations, whereby both qualitative and quantitative data
were retrieved from a cross-sectional non-probability sample of both male and female resident
spouses in Kumasi, Ghana. In this study it is argued that left-behind males are challenged in their
masculinity and may show difficulties in adaptation concerning individual aspects such as
responsibilities, practical changes, time management and the lack of development of household
skills. Through the transnational relationship with their migrated female spouse, they may also
experience a loss of power, either because their masculin role as principal provider is weakened –
invoking a negative self-image – or because they may experience a decline in status from their social
environment. Such contestations may be, even in their hardest attempt, a dent in their identity as they
are forced to let go of their role as principal provider and have to negotiate a lower position in the
spousal power and decision-making divisions while their migrated female spouse comes into contact
with a culture with more feminist characteristics than theirs, possibly identifying and acting on her
own desire for changes in gender relations and consequently may gain empowerment in the spousal
relationship from two directions. Thus, it is argued that experiences as a left-behind male spouse and
the experiences of the female migrant may increase the possibilities for gender equality within the
spousal relationship. From the male migrant perspective, this study has shown indications of
migrated men exercising their masculine role through transnational communications, through which
they may attempt to obtain or maintain their status and identity; something they may lack in the
country of migration. It is argued that perhaps, some of these men might be overcompensating their
drive for ‘male recognition’ through exercising their power on their household back home. Findings
in this study have however also suggested that, seemingly related to a higher education, legal status
and occupation, experiences in a different culture have positively changed the amount of respect
shown by the male migrants towards their female spouse back home.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen