Under the shadow of structural violence: Work and family dynamics for Latina farmworkers in southwestern Idaho

Abstract

Latina farmworkers play an essential role as agricul­tural laborers while at the same time managing responsibilities at home. However, little attention has been paid to these women’s lives, including how they manage the multiple roles they occupy. This is problematic in part because occupying mul­tiple roles, particularly roles that may conflict with each other, can negatively influence well-being, including physical, mental, emotional, and eco­nomic well-being. In this research, we examine the work-family interface for Latina farmworkers, ask­ing: What factors shape the experiences of Latina farmworkers as they navigate the work-family interface? Building from a broader multi-method and interdisciplinary study, this paper utilizes inter­view and focus group data to examine Latinas laboring in the agricultural fields of Idaho. Findings suggest that many supports in the work and family domains (e.g., supportive co-workers, friends, and family) can aid Latina farmworkers in fulfilling the various forms of labor they are responsible for. However, several family and work demands (e.g., single parenthood, difficult work hours and condi­tions) make it challenging for Latina farmworkers to fulfill the various forms of labor they are re­spon­sible for. Structural violence and intersec­tionality shape these women’s experiences with both supports and demands in the work and family domains. Relatedly, we find that organizational, community, and geographic contexts shape the experiences of Latina farmworkers in fulfilling labor in the public and private spheres. In particu­lar, race and gender, immigration and documenta­tion status, community organizations, and rurality all shape the navigation of the work-family inter­face for these farmworkers.