Abstract

PEREZ-BRITO, Evelyn et al. Vulnerability context of women oyster shellers (Crassostrea virginica) in ejido Sinaloa Primera Sección, Cárdenas, Tabasco. agric. soc. desarro [online]. 2012, vol.9, n.2, pp.123-148. ISSN 1870-5472.

In this study, the Livelihoods approach was used to identify the vulnerability context of women devoted to oyster shelling (Crassostrea virginica). Field work was carried out in Ejido Sinaloa Primera Sección, in the municipality of Cárdenas, Tabasco. Different tools were used to obtain information, such as semi-structured interviews with key informants, participant observation and participative workshops with women. The main elements of the vulnerability context detected were: opening of Boca de Panteones (which salinized lagoons and land), oyster closed season, hurricanes, unemployment, migration, and extenuating workdays in domestic labor. It is concluded that women oyster shellers are the ones most affected by the capitalist exploitation system, which violates them economically, turning them into the poorest and most vulnerable population group. They are also the ones who have to deal with a large part of the effects of deterioration in purchasing power and have to seek out survival strategies in a globalized world.

Keywords : social stereotypes; inequality; livelihoods; subordination.