article

Detachability of women: gender and kinship in processes of socioeconomic change among the Gusii of Kenya

American ethnologist21 (3) • Published In 1994 • Pages: 516-538

By: Håkansson, Thomas.

Abstract
This article examines the role of gender and kinship identities in shaping women's access to social and economic resources among the Gusii and Luyia in Kenya. High population densities, cash crop production, market dependency, and wage labor are ubiquitous in the fertile Kenya highlands. However, changes in gender relationships and family forms vary and are not attributable to political-economic factors alone. The results of these transformation also depend on the content of women's relationships with their natal kin, and on the role of marriage in defining the character of women's social identities (p. 516).
Subjects
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Comparative evidence
Sociocultural trends
Real property
Gender status
Mode of marriage
Termination of marriage
Celibacy
Household
Family relationships
Polygamy
culture
Gusii
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Eastern Africa
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 2005
Field Date
1982-1983, 1985
Coverage Date
1950-1985
Coverage Place
Kisi District, western Kenya
Notes
N. Thomas Håkansson
Includes bibliographical references (p. 535-538)
LCCN
74644326
LCSH
Gusii (African people)