BETWEEN THE PROFESSION AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN: EXPERIENCES OF SUFFERING AND SATISFACTION BY WOMEN WHO HAVE LEFT MATERNITY LEAVE

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze experiences of pleasure and suffering experienced by women who have completed maternity leave. The method adopted was a qualitative research, a cross-sectional case study, evaluating 13 participants who had been hired in the education sector in southern Minas Gerais. Semi-structured interviews were used, in which the content obtained was analyzed in light of the psychodynamics of work and gender theory. As a result, it was understood that women predominantly experienced feelings of suffering after the end of maternity leave, but not because they feared work, but because they were separated, even temporarily, from their children. Experiences of pleasure were also identified, although to a lesser extent, since the number of participants who addressed them was lower than those who demonstrated suffering.