Oaxaca is one of the five leading labor-sending states of Mexico. From 1980 to 1990, net migration was in the order of 528,559, almost twice as many people as in the previous decade. The regions most affected were Sierra Sur, the Central Valleys, and the Mixtec region. A sample recently taken by the "Jornaleros Agrícolas" (rural day laborers) Program of SEDESOL/Oaxaca (1992) revealed that of 80,000 people from 76 localities, 25% participate in cyclical migratory flows. Of these, 34% are women, 31% are children ages 6 to 14 (both boys and girls), and the remaining 35% are men.

The data on migration do not facilitate a precise count of the youth involved. One would think that young men would be more inclined to leave their communities to seek better working conditions, education, and opportunities in general. At the same time, the practice of abandoning small children or leaving them with relatives is beginning to have an impact on the rural communities, which report the presence of potentially criminal bands made up of such young people. In addition, many women have to assume the role of head of household while their husbands are absent.