The changing roles of farm women and the consequences for their health, well-being, and quality of life

The roles of contemporary farmwomen are rapidly changing and becoming more complex in order to survive the economic realities of farming on the Canadian Prairies today. In order to document the lived experience of women on the farm, their changing roles and the meanings they ascribe to these roles, their physical health and psychological well-being, a multi-stage study employing quantitative and qualitative research methods was conducted in partnership with the Saskatchewan Women in Agriculture Network (SWAN) and the Farm Stress Line in 2001.; To delineate the issues, 18 open-ended interviews were conducted with informed professionals active in various farm organizations. Thereafter, 717 farm women, in 20 Rural Saskatchewan Municipalities, returned a 20 page, objective questionnaire that focused on: (1) Health Care, (2) Health Status, (3) Social Support, (4) Well-being, (5) Life Style and Activities, (6) Stress, (7) Work, (8) Male and female roles, (9) Demographics (10) Farm Issues. Subsequently, 20 qualitative interviews were conducted to further explore the findings of the survey.; The main issues that farm women are coping with in their lives at this point in history are financial difficulties, overwork, and stress. Many of the women also took on responsibility for the well-being of their families, many times sacrificing their own psychological and physical health in the process. At the same time, the women reported a high level of social support and were also regularly involved in various groups, organizations or activities. The vast majority of farm women self-rated their state of physical health as good to excellent, however, at the same time nearly half of the sample reported that they have received treatment for 'long-term health problems' and were concerned about the effect of their work on their health.; Many of the women felt they were not acknowledged for the work they contributed to the farm and in the household. While women were involved in farm work and off-farm work, there was little corresponding household work done by their male partners. The two major expectations that the farm women felt were placed on them were to be a "traditional farm woman" and to fit the stereotype of a farm woman. Farm and land ownership was viewed as a source of status, pride, and recognition for the women. The women did not identify with the term feminism because it was associated with negative connotations. For the most part, patriarchal relationships were evident in the personal, political, cultural and social life of the women, reflecting the fact that, as a whole, agriculture remains very male dominated.; Over one third of the farm women did not believe there were adequate support services for dealing with social, personal, or financial problems in their area and there was a perceived lack of understanding by policy makers and professionals.; The incorporation of the concept of patriarchy into the study of health of farm women is a recommendation for further research. Integrated health and educational service centres, the increased use of nurse practitioners, and the establishment of mobile health services are recommended policy initiatives.