Place attachment and social–ecological system sustainability examined through the voices of indigenous Guatemalan women
2019
Briggs, Lilly | Stedman, Richard | Krasny, Marianne
Through a social–ecological systems (SES) lens, this qualitative study investigates how place attachment is manifested among young Q’eqchi’ Maya women of Guatemala. Q’eqchi’ women have positive and negative feelings toward social and ecological attributes of their SES, conceptualized as “magnets” and “anchors.” This research was part of a larger project that also studied the impacts of a program called “Women, Agroecology, and Leadership for Conservation” (WALC), which seeks to promote female empowerment and build capacity among Q’eqchi’ women. We analyze findings related to both place attachment and WALC impacts on participants. This analysis is then used to explore implications for long-term sustainability of the biocultural diversity within the Q’eqchi’ Maya SES. Examinations of international development efforts such as WALC cannot fully transcend embedded issues related to the perpetuation of historical colonialist narratives, the imposition of foreign worldviews and assumptions, and power. We argue that while we must better confront these issues, it is equally important that we do not neglect the prevalence and positive impacts of these programs.
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