Abstract

FIDELIS, Daiana Quadros  and  MOSMANN, Clarisse Pereira. The childlessness in contemporary times: a study with non-child women above 45 years old. Aletheia [online]. 2013, n.42, pp. 122-135. ISSN 1413-0394.

In contemporary times an increasing number of women have opted for non-motherhood, which has constituted a recent phenomenon that has yet to be thoroughly studied. Therefore, this study investigated the alleged reasons associated by woman to their non-motherhood, characteristics of this process and developments in theirs live. The scope of this research is both exploratory and descriptive, and uses qualitative data analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five women over age 45, who declared by choice decided not to be mothers. The data was analyzed using content analysis and the results indicated that career choice was the main reason for the option of non-motherhood. It was also discovered as a development that these women suffer society pressures regarding this choice culminating ambivalence in their feelings. It stands out the characteristic that all women have experienced loving and conflicting relationships during the course of their lives, however they declare to have significant social support network.

Keywords : Women; Childlessness; Career.

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