The Contemporary Kisii Household Gender Roles, Identity and Social Value in Everyday Life

Introduction In Kisii households an ongoing competition for and control over scarce resources Struggles between men and women over new roles and obligations Struggles between men and women over new roles and obligations This chapter This chapter Explores new social roles and value systems that have emerged for men and women Explores new social roles and value systems that have emerged for men and women Examines new values and male and female identity and gender relations Examines new values and male and female identity and gender relations

Men’s Roles Tea Picking Tea Picking Night watchmen Night watchmen Seasonal Contract Workers Seasonal Contract Workers Government Employees Government Employees Artisans Artisans Matatu Drivers Matatu Drivers Construction of Homes Construction of Homes Farmers? Farmers? Land ownership = farmer Land ownership = farmer Men sometimes clear land Men sometimes clear land Women 54%, Men 38%, Children 8% Women 54%, Men 38%, Children 8%

Male migration has mostly ended But they don’t view themselves as farmers Men can sell land and profits Some women buy land, but it’s a sign of separation

Women’s Roles More to do since colonial era More to do since colonial era Farming Farming Smaller plots and same tools Subsistance and cash Hybrid maize harvested twice a year. Water and fuelwood Water and fuelwood Process and cook food Process and cook food Transport, trade and sell at local markets Transport, trade and sell at local markets Buy basic necessities Buy basic necessities Sugar, salt, soap, etc.

New Maize: 2 crops in a year Continuous cycle of land preparation, planting and harvesting

Resource Management and Control Men own land and cattle Men own land and cattle Men have right to sell land Men have right to sell land Irresponsible Irresponsible Self vs. Household gain Self vs. Household gain

Women have potential power Control over production, reproduction, and consumption Control over production, reproduction, and consumption Men's absence give women some control over Men's absence give women some control over Land use, crop income, marketing Land use, crop income, marketing Coping strategies Coping strategies Middleman and Changaa Middleman and Changaa Withdraw direct and reproductive labor Withdraw direct and reproductive labor

Gendered Contributions to Household Both sexes agree husbands should provide wives and children with: Both sexes agree husbands should provide wives and children with: Clothing, health expenses, Clothing, health expenses, Agricultural implements and cattle Agricultural implements and cattle School fees, uniforms, books, School fees, uniforms, books, Women should provide Women should provide Food for the family Food for the family

Spousal Negotiations Men heads of households and decision makers Men heads of households and decision makers Women’s main reasons for quarreling include: Women’s main reasons for quarreling include: Economic neglect, laziness, lack of interest in children’s education Men’s main worries Men’s main worries Poisoning by kababa—#2 reason why women go to jail Neither spouse trusts the other Neither spouse trusts the other

Other Household Issues Alcohol consumption Alcohol consumption Men only, socially required, discuss problems Violence Against Women Corrective behavior, socially accepted, increasing, 3 reasons for beatings Psychological disorders Psychological disorders Men- inadequate, incompetent, insecure, inferior, persecuted, pressured Women- stressed about making ends meet. INSTABILITY ALCOHOL PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS VIOLENCE

Conclusions Men’s domain and social roles reduced Men’s domain and social roles reduced Women’s domain and independence increased Women’s domain and independence increased Precolonial: man’s role not directly linked to economic responsibility Precolonial: man’s role not directly linked to economic responsibility Colonial period: provider ideology emerged, with new obligations and responsibilities for men Colonial period: provider ideology emerged, with new obligations and responsibilities for men These new obligations were not assigned social value These new obligations were not assigned social value

Substantial change in need for family support challenged the ideology of separate spheres Substantial change in need for family support challenged the ideology of separate spheres Most men not able or prepared for these responsibilities and obligations Most men not able or prepared for these responsibilities and obligations Men’s command over resources seriously diminished. Affects their political power, social relationships, etc. Men’s command over resources seriously diminished. Affects their political power, social relationships, etc. Wives question need for deference and respect Wives question need for deference and respect Men’s control over women also questioned Men’s control over women also questioned