Abstract

KUSCHNIR, Karina. Maternity and breast-feeding: biography and intergenerational gender relationships. Sociologia, Problemas e Práticas [online]. 2008, n.56, pp.85-103. ISSN 0873-6529.

The aim of this work is to investigate the processes of identity construction and the meanings attributed to the notion of maternity, through accounts of the experience of breast-feeding. The experience of breast-feeding is complex and has a marking effect, involving the relationship of the mothers with their babies, husbands/partners, mothers, mothers-in-law, sisters and other family members. Many of these ties undergo tension, accommodation and/or breakdown and are resignified throughout the process of learning and preparation for extended breast-feeding. This paper seeks to relate the breast-feeding experience to the transformations in the subjectivity and identity of the woman/mother affecting her perception of the various areas of daily life and, especially, that of her female family members, among the different generations.

Keywords : maternity; gender; identity.

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