Labor migration has long shaped family life in Botswana, as men left home to work in South Africa’s mines while women managed households alone. Over time, many wives became de facto heads of families, gaining economic independence and social authority within a deeply patriarchal culture. However, when men later returned—through retirement, retrenchment, or national shifts—the balance often changed again. New research reveals that this homecoming often sparked significant marital strife, as men sought to reclaim their traditional authority. For some women, this led to conflict or even violence, while others, having gained education and financial independence, chose to leave unworkable marriages. However, not every reunion was fractured; some couples successfully reunited and built new lives together. These personal stories illuminate how prolonged migration tested and transformed the foundations of family, gender roles, and power in unexpected ways.
The Conversation
