Social and economic development and change in four Guatemalan villages: demographics, schooling, occupation, and assets

This article uses census data and village histories to examine changes over the last 35 years in the four villages where the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) Longitudinal Study (1969–77) was conducted and offers a rare picture of development and change in rural localities...

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Main Authors: Maluccio, John, Melgar, Paul, Mendez, Humberto, Murphy, Alexis, Yount, Katherine M.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: SAGE Publications 2005
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/172355
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author Maluccio, John
Melgar, Paul
Mendez, Humberto
Murphy, Alexis
Yount, Katherine M.
author_browse Maluccio, John
Melgar, Paul
Mendez, Humberto
Murphy, Alexis
Yount, Katherine M.
author_facet Maluccio, John
Melgar, Paul
Mendez, Humberto
Murphy, Alexis
Yount, Katherine M.
author_sort Maluccio, John
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This article uses census data and village histories to examine changes over the last 35 years in the four villages where the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) Longitudinal Study (1969–77) was conducted and offers a rare picture of development and change in rural localities over a long period of time. In addition, by characterizing the environment in which the subjects of this study were raised, we provide context for and inputs into quantitative analyses of data collected at various points in time on these subjects. The villages have undergone massive demographic, social, and economic change. Initial differences have conditioned many of these changes, especially differences associated with agricultural potential and location. Originally these villages were rather isolated, but road and transportation access has improved substantially. The populations in the villages have more than doubled and also have aged. While marriage patterns have held steady, religious practice has changed a great deal. After many years of steady out-migration, three of the four villages are more recently experiencing net in-migration, a pattern associated with ease of access. Schooling access and outcomes also have improved, with average grades of schooling nearly tripling and literacy doubling to levels currently above national averages. Although agriculture remains an important component of individual livelihood strategies, non-agricultural sources of employment have become more important. Much of this change is associated with declining agricultural markets and increased access to non-agricultural jobs near the villages and in the capital. Accompanying these changes has been an improvement in living standards as measured by a number of indicators of household living conditions and consumer durable goods.
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spelling CGSpace1723552025-02-19T14:07:20Z Social and economic development and change in four Guatemalan villages: demographics, schooling, occupation, and assets Maluccio, John Melgar, Paul Mendez, Humberto Murphy, Alexis Yount, Katherine M. economic situation assets education institutions demography employment This article uses census data and village histories to examine changes over the last 35 years in the four villages where the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) Longitudinal Study (1969–77) was conducted and offers a rare picture of development and change in rural localities over a long period of time. In addition, by characterizing the environment in which the subjects of this study were raised, we provide context for and inputs into quantitative analyses of data collected at various points in time on these subjects. The villages have undergone massive demographic, social, and economic change. Initial differences have conditioned many of these changes, especially differences associated with agricultural potential and location. Originally these villages were rather isolated, but road and transportation access has improved substantially. The populations in the villages have more than doubled and also have aged. While marriage patterns have held steady, religious practice has changed a great deal. After many years of steady out-migration, three of the four villages are more recently experiencing net in-migration, a pattern associated with ease of access. Schooling access and outcomes also have improved, with average grades of schooling nearly tripling and literacy doubling to levels currently above national averages. Although agriculture remains an important component of individual livelihood strategies, non-agricultural sources of employment have become more important. Much of this change is associated with declining agricultural markets and increased access to non-agricultural jobs near the villages and in the capital. Accompanying these changes has been an improvement in living standards as measured by a number of indicators of household living conditions and consumer durable goods. 2005-06 2025-01-29T12:59:51Z 2025-01-29T12:59:51Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/172355 en Limited Access SAGE Publications Maluccio, John; Melgar, Paul; Mendez, Humberto; Murphy, Alexis; Yount, Katherine M. 2005. Social and economic development and change in four Guatemalan villages: demographics, schooling, occupation, and assets. Food and Nutrition Bulletin (Supplement 1) 26(2): S25-S45. https://doi.org/10.1177/15648265050262S104
spellingShingle economic situation
assets
education
institutions
demography
employment
Maluccio, John
Melgar, Paul
Mendez, Humberto
Murphy, Alexis
Yount, Katherine M.
Social and economic development and change in four Guatemalan villages: demographics, schooling, occupation, and assets
title Social and economic development and change in four Guatemalan villages: demographics, schooling, occupation, and assets
title_full Social and economic development and change in four Guatemalan villages: demographics, schooling, occupation, and assets
title_fullStr Social and economic development and change in four Guatemalan villages: demographics, schooling, occupation, and assets
title_full_unstemmed Social and economic development and change in four Guatemalan villages: demographics, schooling, occupation, and assets
title_short Social and economic development and change in four Guatemalan villages: demographics, schooling, occupation, and assets
title_sort social and economic development and change in four guatemalan villages demographics schooling occupation and assets
topic economic situation
assets
education
institutions
demography
employment
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/172355
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