Gambling with life: Masculinity, risk, and danger in the lives of unauthorized migrant roofers. Issue 6 (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chávez, Sergio; Altman, Claire E.
• Is Part Of: American journal of industrial medicine. Volume 60:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 537
• Page End: 547
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: masculinity -- occupational injuries -- risk -- unauthorized immigrants -- work; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Médecine du travail -- Périodiques; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22721
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0271-3586

Abstract

Abstract : Background: This paper examines the occupational experiences of unauthorized immigrants employed in one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States: roofing. Methods: We draw on 40 in‐depth interviews with return migrants in Guanajuato, Mexico, to examine how the adoption of masculinity, dangerous working conditions, the labor market structure, and absence of legal status exacerbates injuries for unauthorized roofers. Findings: Undocumented men return to Mexico injured with chronic pain, health complications, and trauma. We find that men "do gender" that is adopt masculine beliefs, when they skirt safety practices, police each other's behaviors, withhold their emotions, experience heightened stress, and engage in poor health behaviors. It is a combination of dangerous working conditions, economic insecurity, and men seeking to fulfill their masculine roles that all combine to create unsafe working conditions and lead to injuries.