thanks

[Guest guest]

Migrant.Health.Research.Network.

I appreciate the information and suggestions related to my question on the

three-stream concept. I was pleased for suggestions that went beyond the

immediate focus of my inquiry, which was concerned with (visual and verbal)

representation and validation of research materials.

Diagrams of migrant movement have been around at least since the early

1940s, both in the form of reports from congrressional committees and

publications (especially Carey Mc, 1942, Ill Fares the Land). Most

likely the stream concept accompanied or was encouraged by the visual

displays. The three-stream concept, as was mentioned in earlier responses,

has a distinct history and specific application.

I was pleased to find the adaptation of social science concepts in the

production of later diagrams, particularly in relation to forms of migrant

movement. Several diagram makers had good training, or knew who to

consult, or combined a little of both. (The diagram I mentioned in my

inquiry has fascinated me for a long time since its wispy branches and

tapering points-toward-destination have an artistic quality that lends

itself to repeated use.)

Tina raises an interesting issue of who are those whom we serve who are

those who migrate for purposes of agricultural employment who may also

engage in other kinds of work. And the related issue if those who

traditionally worked in agriculture sometimes work outside farm labor, the

same processes of information-sharing we have assumed exist inside

agriculture may extend beyond farmwork and bring folks into migratory & /or

seasonal agricultural employment, if only once, or periodically, or perhaps

for long-term. These folks, and farmworkers who work outside agriculture,

may be counted differently at distinct points in their work trajectory...

The question Bobbi raises on " needs assessment " (both types) should include

consideration of who are the farmworkers we serve. They are hard-to-reach

for different reasons today than in the past and hard-to-find for more

reasons than other difficult-to-serve populations.

Yes, there are improved baseline materials for more effective, better

designed studies. And the need to re-assess who as well as where are those

whom we serve.

V Bletzer. Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of

Anthropology, Arizona State University.