ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

 This work is the result of my field observations and also of the talented teaching I

received from professors; and the enthusiastic support of classmates and friends at the

University of Florida, who shared with me their knowledge and opinions. Therefore I

would like to thank to the following people:

 I thank Dr. Tonny Oliver-Smith, Dr. Marinane Schmink, and Dr. Efrain Barradas,

members of my Tribunal; Dr. Alejandra Osorio, former Academic Advisor of the Center

for Latin American Studies; and Dr. Martha Hardman, consummate feminist without

compromising her fine academic work. I also thank Yolanda Hernandez, Victoria G6mez

de la Torre, and Erika Parra, classmates and friends, but over all a group of sincere

feminists. Kathy Dwyer Navajas and Berenice Astengo who helped me reading,

commenting, and correcting the grammar of my thesis. I am grateful the women and men

of Mulauco, who allowed me to know their lives and hopes, happiness and sadness.