Adoção e monoparentalidade: a escolha pela maternidade em mulheres solteiras

Abstract

This dissertation entitled "Adoption and single parenthood: The choice of motherhood in single women" consists of three chapters, a theoretical article and two other empirical. The study I conducted a non-systematic literature review articles, books and dissertations, in order to map the social and historical context of women, regarding the choice for motherhood through adoption. The reflection was based on social and historical change of the women’s role and the opening to determine new ways to exercise parenting. In Study II, the objective was to understand the feelings, motivations and expectations of single women without children, who are in line to adopt a child or adolescent. This is an exploratory and descriptive qualitative research conducted with three women who are in line to adopt. Interviews were conducted, which were analyzed qualitatively. Among the main results, are the difficulty in getting pregnant or maintain pregnancy as the main reason for seeking the adoption, the desire to have a child with the need to care for someone and be cared for, the existence of a sense of readiness to adoption would avoid a support network to help in the care and education of the child and the lack of timely and frequent information on the progress of the process, passing the idea that the queue is stuck. The need and importance of support groups and follow-up of individuals qualified for adoption is discussed. Study III proposes meet three female parent families formed through adoption, to understand what were the motivations involved to adopt a child and identify who these women can count on Parent care. Using semi-structured interviews carried out a study of qualitative and exploratory, based on the analysis of their verbal content. The motivation to effect the adoption was related to the desire to be a mother, but also the difficulty of gestating and maintain a pregnancy. The family and health professionals were identified as the main sources of support in the exercise of motherhood. It was possible to detect the importance of family support when deciding to adopt. The results of the studies demonstrate the complexity of the subject, the focus this family modality that arises today. The reflections generated from the results found in this study are not exhausted, requiring the completion of other studies that build scientific knowledge on the subject.