to quell these fears, because they allow these women to remind their husbands of their

responsibilities to their family in the home community, even though it may have been years since

they have last seen one another.

 Having a cellular phone in the house can also be problematic. While non-migrant wives no

longer feel as if their in-laws are watching over them and limiting their ability to communicate,

they do believe that the increased frequency of conversations has given their husbands more

control over them. This perception arises because cell phones are purchased with money from

the husbands and, in some cases, are ordered directly by the husband in the United States from

the local cell phone company, which then arranges delivery to the wife. Even though the cell

phones are portable, women keep them in their homes, and they may feel as if they can not go

out because their husbands may call to check in on them. Only established wives who already

have the freedom to move without restraint travel with their cell phones. Some women don't

have their husband's phone numbers and only accept incoming calls, which is, in part, a cost-

saving measure because, in Guatemala, incoming calls are free and outgoing calls are expensive.

As of 2004, a Q100 phone card (about $20) is only good for just under a half hour phone call to

the United States. Thus, for many women, cell phones can be used to receive incoming calls

only.

 Some women convey mixed feelings about having a cell phone since it may cause them to

be afraid of going out and thus missing a call. When asked about taking the phone out with them,

many say they are afraid of being questioned about where they were and who they were with.

Some women report that they have had arguments with their husbands when they have not

answered their phones. Others told me that even though they make regular appointments at

specific times to receive their husband's call, many of them receive occasional evening calls,