UNINTENDED NON-MATERNITY AND CAREER
how childless women activate maternal identity at work
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21171/ges.v17i45.3600Keywords:
Maternity; Identity at Work; Unintentional Non-maternity; Career; Identity activationAbstract
The aim of this study was to understand how women with unintentional non-maternity activate maternal identity at work. Research was carried out with a qualitative and exploratory approach, using the principles of Grounded Theory in data collection and analysis. Data were collected through narrative interviews, using a semi-structured script, with 44 women who activate their maternal identity at work. The results showed three dimensions in which childless women activate this identity: projective activation, vicarious activation by mobilization, and imaginary activation. This work contributes to the literature on female careers and (non) unintentional motherhood. In theoretical terms, it expands the understanding of how women deal with the experience of unintentional non-maternity by activating maternal identity in the workplace.
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