Trudności współczesnego macierzyństwa.
Difficulties of contemporary motherhood.

Methodological aspects of maternal research

Summary/Abstract: Introduction. The article aims to present the difficulties experienced by mothers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was assumed that during the pandemic, difficulties related to reconciling work and family life would intensify, there would be changes in the relationship between mother and child, and the division of family responsibilities between the child’s parents would change. Aim. The main problem was: What difficulties related to family life during the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus are experienced by the examined mothers? Material and methods. The research used a qualitative approach. The source of the research data are interviews with mothers. Results. During the pandemic, mothers’ difficulties varied in nature. Research results indicate both negative and positive (from deterioration to improvement of relationships) consequences of change in the relationship between mother and child, attempts to combine work and family life, and the division of responsibilities between partners. The surveyed mothers report an increase in tension and stress as a result of the emerging conflict between work and family life, limited support from the partner and a difficult, full of difficult emotional relationship with the child. On the second continuum are mothers who, despite a difficult situation, tried to reconcile work and family life, received support from their partner, shared the responsibilities of caring for the child and running the household equally. Conclusion. We should consider the pandemic in terms of a difficult situation. In a way, it forced mothers to construct a new everyday life related to the role of mother and employee simultaneously. So far, existing attempts to balance both spheres of life leading to maintaining balance (“work-life balance”) have not always proved effective during the pandemic. In many cases, the pandemic has led to a reset of the existing family model and re-creation.

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