Identity and the future : the experience of retired family farmers in the Manawatu : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Social Anthropology at Massey University

TL;DRAbstract

Family farming has, in recent decades, become a growing area of enquiry for social scientists. Post 1980 globally, and in New Zealand, research focused on a perceived rural crisis, which was characterised by the withdrawal of state subsidies and the exposure of the family farmer to the free market. Many began to question whether the family farm would survive. The future of the family farm is a contentious topic, with theories of its impending demise or survival at the forefront of debate. However, in recent literature there is a recognition that a focus on solely structural change is not enough. This study is a response to the recognition that an understanding of the subjective aspects of family farming is required. Taking a small cohort of retired Manawatu farmers this study provides an insight into the subjective dimensions of family farming and the social construction of 'farmer identity'. The participant's accounts are contextualised by a consideration of both regional and national

Chat with Paper

AI Agents for this Paper