A Study On The Impact Of Livelihood Changes Of Left-Behind Women From A Gender Perspective

Since the implementation of the reform and opening up policy in China,the economy has developed rapidly and the industrialization process has continued to deepen.A large number of surplus labor in rural areas have poured into cities to work.However,due to the dual system barriers of urban and rural division in China and the influence of traditional gender concepts,left-behind women have emerged.As a new special group in the process of industrialization and urbanization with Chinese characteristics,left-behind women sacrifice their own development for the overall interests of the family.With the changes in the national macro-development policy,economic system and rural agricultural production structure,the livelihood model of many rural families has changed,and the family as an intermediary affects the gender division of labor in the family,shaping the livelihood activities and behavior patterns of left-behind women.Based on the field investigation of J Village in Shandong Province,based on the current rural reality,this paper attempts to use gender as a research perspective,using literature research method,participatory observation method and interview method to collect data,and using gender theory and patriarchal theory to explain the livelihood of left-behind women.Then,combining theory with specific cases,this paper analyzes the impact of left-behind women ’s livelihood changes from the perspective of gender,and puts the problems faced by left-behind women in this process into the relationship structure of gender equality to carry out research.Taking gender differences into account,the status and characteristics of left-behind women ’s livelihood changes are described and analyzed.The livelihood changes of left-behind women in the current stage are mainly concentrated in three aspects: agricultural production,family sideline and non-agricultural employment.They have the characteristics of heavy livelihood burden of left-behind women,strong employment willingness and preference for nonagricultural employment,near employment location,flexible working hours,diversified livelihoods but generally low professional level,and age stratification in livelihood structure.Then,the influence and causes of the livelihood changes of left-behind women are deeply explored.The study found that the transformation of livelihood activities has separated left-behind women from heavy agricultural production and brought economic income,but left-behind women are still bound by family care responsibilities,and left-behind women are under the dual pressure of commercialization and traditional gender concepts.First of all,the increase of family life cost and development cost pressure makes left-behind women have to enter the labor market to seek more monetary income.Secondly,gender discrimination in the labour market makes it difficult for left-behind women to transfer their livelihoods.Then,the influence of traditional gender concepts and ’ family-based ’ values makes left-behind women give priority to the overall interests of the family and lack self-development awareness.In succession,the solidification of care responsibilities formed by the gender division of labor under the patriarchy puts left-behind women at a disadvantage in their livelihood changes.Finally,the ’ gender difference ’ investment in family education leads to the low education level of left-behind women,which further hinders the transfer of left-behind women ’s labor force.On the basis of this analysis,this paper puts forward countermeasures and suggestions for the livelihood changes of left-behind women from the four dimensions of country,village,society and individual,in order to improve the livelihood of left-behind women.In-depth study of the livelihood of left-behind women is not only related to improving the living conditions of left-behind women,but also of great significance to promote the real development of left-behind women.