Conceptual tensions in the relation 'gender-migration': reflections from ethnography and feminist criticism

Abstract

Based on a critical review of current literature on gender and migration in the context of Spain as “a country of immigration”, feminist criticism in social anthropology and ethnography has identified several problematic issues. The main issues of concern to researchers are transnational maternity; the organization of care; multiple processes of exclusion produced by the “non-EU immigrant women” category; changes in gender systems or gender relations produced by migration processes; and finally the links between immigration, gender inequalities and cultural differences. In this paper we analyse in depth the issues of most interest to researchers in order to stimulate new discussions by identifying the ‘conceptual tensions’ that are believed to lie beneath each of these research questions. Our approach is based on Virginia Maquieira’s definition of ‘conceptual tension’ as tensions triggered by social events that change how subjects are perceived and their potential power to change and reproduce an existing social order. In addition, we include the creative aspect of this conceptual tension, which refers to opposed forces promoting outcomes regarding social forces generated by diverse groups.