Migration, Gender and Labor: the burden of care in the construction of network and opportunity

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of reproductive labor on the construction of social networks and the labor incorporation of migrant women living in the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil. Based on a qualitative approach, the research draws from 15 sociograms and 6 interviews with Latin American women enrolled in a Portuguese as a Host Language course. The findings show that motherhood intensifies the care burden and reduces bridging ties — key social connections for accessing the labor market. In contrast, women without young children displayed more diverse and mobilizable social networks. The analysis also highlights the important role of institutions such as CRAS and churches in providing support. The study underscores the need for public policies that integrate work and care, recognizing the centrality of social networks in the integration of migrant women.