The meanings of the ideal of motherhood for mothers in vulnerability: reflections on how the socioeconomic context influences mothering

• Grant number: 23/14897-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Human Development Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Thassia Souza Emidio
• Grantee: Victoria Zidoi Cestari
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL-ASSIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Assis. Assis , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The role of mother in patriarchal society is the only one that gives women respectability and value, and they are seen as incomplete without a child. We have observed that the experience of motherhood for Brazilian women is permeated by idealizations of maternal love and by conditions of socio-economic vulnerability, causing a number of physical and psychological sufferings to these mothers. This study aims to reflect on and understand the experience of motherhood lived by women in situations of socio-economic vulnerability and how the socially constructed ideal of motherhood influences these women's experiences. This is a exploratory-descriptive qualitative research that will use semi-directed interviews as a data collection method. The group studied will be made up of six to eight mothers, aged between 18 and 39, who receive the conditional cash transfer program implemented by the federal government, Bolsa Família. The data obtained from the interviews will be analyzed using Thematic Content Analysis, in which we will look for units of meaning in the interviewees' statements and link them to studies on the subject. Hopefuly, this research will help researchers and professionals in the field of psychology, who will be able to use it to study and rethink new approaches to better support these mothers in situations of social vulnerability.