As mulheres de Cachoeirinha: família, produção e gênero numa comunidade rural do Sul mineiro

Abstract

This work analyzes the socia relationships of gender, the distinguished valorizationof the work accomplished by men and women,the sexual division oflabor and the invisibility whichfences the labor of womenin Minas' familiar farming. The methodology of the research was based on a qualitative approach through the case study in Cachoeirinha community situated 8 km away from the town of Lavras-MG.Family was regarded as a study unit. Data collection took place from the application of semi-structured questionnaires with pre-elaborated interviews, in addition to observations and notations in field notebook. Cachoeirinha is made up of familiar farmers who in their majority are persons bom in the very place and who have always lived there. They combine agricultural andnon-agricultural business together. Women dedicate to works related to house,farming, kitchen gardening and small animais. They recognize their house tasks as a nonprofít-generatinglabor and as a partofthe female obligations. Their subordination to the family, husbands/childrenis explicit.In that rural community, patriarchal power stands out, restricting and subordinating the women participation.