Maternidade na adolescência: análise sob a perspectiva interseccional no Centro de Referência de Assistência Social (CRAS)

Abstract

The present study aims to analyze adolescent motherhood and its consequences in everyday life. For this, it was necessary to make a brief history of adolescence and motherhood in Brazil. The specific objectives defined were: to research in the CRAS among the users of the services, women who were mothers in adolescence; investigate, through bibliographic and field research, the social, gender and racial vulnerabilities and inequalities that surround the theme; in addition to analyzing family relationships, professional life, school and social policies involving adolescent motherhood. Participants in the research were women users of the services of the Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS) in the São Raimundo neighborhood, in São Luís- MA, who were mothers in adolescence, and CRAS professionals. Semi-structured interviews were used, which allowed us to evaluate the factors that affected the daily lives of these mothers after adolescent motherhood. It was verified in the results that school dropout is a reality present in the life of pregnant adolescents, who had to postpone their studies to dedicate themselves to the care of their children and, in some cases, enter the labor market to provide for themselves. However, due to the lack of qualifications, they are more exposed to precarious and low-paid jobs. The support network makes a difference in the family dynamics of adolescent mothers, especially for permanence in school and professional development, as well as access to essential public policies and services to face this reality, such as health, social assistance, daycare centers, sex education (sexual and reproductive rights), which enable the social autonomy of adolescent mothers. It was found that adolescent motherhood is a reality present in the country, but the highest rates are among brown and black adolescents. It was concluded, from the interviews with the participants, that motherhood during adolescence is a fact that marked their lives and that the schooling factor was affected, which was soon reflected in their future professionals. However, these women report that they managed to overcome this phase of life and continued to build dreams, for themselves or for their children. It was understood that the support network is essential to face adolescent motherhood and that public services and policies are instruments that make a difference in the lives of these mothers