PhD ThesisThis thesis draws on and informs feminist theory and Caribbean
studies and is concerned with investigating the particular form of gender
relations in Montserrat.
Gender relations are conceptualised as power relations between men
and women. This argument is derived from an exploration of the
possibilities and limitations of a range of feminist literature: marxist
feminism, socialist feminism, women's studies, feminist geography,
radical feminism and the studies of women and development.
The gender relations in Montserrat are explored in four areas of
social organisation: the household, the workplace, union patterns and
heterosexual behaviour. They are seen as universal features of women's
lives and, potentially, the main sites of gender relations. Montserratian
gender relations were found to be patriarchal, but varied in strength
within the four social areas. The household per se was not a site of
patriarchal gender relations unless shared with a male partner. The
workplace did not exhibit patriarchal gender relations. Gender relations
in marriage and cohabiting unions were strongly patriarchal; those in
visiting unions were either egalitarian or weakly patriarchal.
Heterosexual behaviour, involving sexuality and biological reproduction,
was identified as the main site of the maintenance and reproduction of
patriarchal gender relations in Montserrat.
Montserratian gender relations are shown to be broadly similar to
those of the Caribbean generally; but there are exceptions. Very low
levels of marriage and cohabitation mean that household gender relations
are less patriarchal than in other islands. In comparison with other
Caribbean islands, where MNCs, law wages, strict gender segregation and a
lack of employment legislation prevail, Montserratian women experience
higher wages, job security and greater employment opportunities. The
Montserratian workplace, therefore, cannot be seen as a site of
patriarchal gender relations. However, as is commonplace throughout the
Caribbean, union patterns, specifically marriage and cohabitation, and
heterosexual behaviour are sites of patriarchal gender relations.Economic and Social Research Council