Vai ter coragem? Uma descrição fenomenológica da relação entre maternidade e trabalho

Abstract

The present research aimed to describe phenomenologically the experience of maternity combined with work. Therefore, a focal group was structured to consent a space for dialogue and reflection for five women, mothers, wives and (remunerated) workers. The shared experience of the working mothers revealed that the professional exercise is a great source of satisfaction, with no prejudice with children arrival; even though the work conditions have not been really harbored to the working mothers by the time of pregnancy or, even, before it. The housework was presented as a big source of fatigue and activity overcharging that often prevented the contact with the children and husbands. Similarly, it became clear that the marriage relationship was compromised with children arrival, since the women dedicate most part of their time out of work for housework or motherhood. The experience of working maternity is lived paradoxically. Women involved in this study enjoy working and being mothers. However, they live in a culture that still comprehends the priorities of women as the private and domestic space. Therefore, maternity combined with work is experimented as a challenging, difficult and hard, requiring of this women, mothers, wives and workers courage to face the demanding of daily activities and also a culture that doesn’t effectively support women being beyond maternity.