Gender wars in Jamaica

Abstract

Gender antagonism is a complex issue produced within a context of power. In this paper I will argue that in Jamaica, the colonial legacy and global economy have conjoined to create a socio‐economic environment that fosters conflict between women and men. Poverty, which has been exacerbated during the past two decades of economic restructuring, and the tradition of women's economic activity, often inhibit the fulfillment of gender roles as prescribed within the dominant ideology. Conflict occurs as each gender formulates its expectations of the other within the breadwinner/homemaker model. Yet, Jamaican women and men are not simply passive recipients of the dominant gender ideology; they negotiate gender behavior and actively manipulate dominant models. Thus, this analysis of gender behavior provides an example of the agency of the poor. The data in this paper are based on participant observation, in‐depth interviews, and content analysis.