Relações de gênero e o trabalho profissional realizado por homens e mulheres no espaço doméstico: reflexos na instrumentalidade e expressividade, na saúde e na qualidade de vida

Abstract

Work is regarded as a social organizer, and the changes in the world of work arising from scientific breakthroughs and worldwide production flexibilization have given rise to structural unemployment. A part of the workers jettisoned from formal labor has started performing professional activities in the household. Such intersection between public space and private space is the subject of this work, as it focuses on the impact of those activities in gender relationships (instrumentality and expressivity), health and quality of life. The methodology applied in this work combines quantitative aspects, from the questionnaires and related instruments applied (EPAQ and SF-36), and qualitative aspects, from discourse content analysis. Case study configuration was deemed adequate as it outlines four groups regarding the aspects researched. Participants (30 men and 30 women) were contacted via Internet, by mail or in person. The results collected to accomplish the goals set are as follows: 1. Changes in gender relationships: about 30% reported changes as regards how they view manhood and womanhood today. - The intersection between public space and private space enables changes, especially for men, who noticed a positive effect on their becoming closer to their children and their performing household chores. - All participants reported gender equality regarding professional ability and interests. - 38% viewed contemporary woman s social role as disconnected from her traditional role as a caregiver. 2. Gender relationships were expressed in terms of instrumental and expressive stereotypes, generating the following profiles: - Instrumental polarized in male stereotypes. - Expressive polarized in female stereotypes. - Undistinguishable showing very few signs of stereotyping. - Androgynous the most flexible one between male and female poles. Androgynous and undistinguishable groups show potential for change, and amount to 56% of total participants. 3. Impact in health: 36% of participants reported improvements in their health. The possibility of organizing and handling activities in the field of labor insertion makes the former a potential area for promoting good health, by allowing positive energy exchanges, thus promoting homeostasis on one s psychic apparatus. 4. Quality of life rates: for almost all participants, improved quality of life is the greatest benefit gained. Positive results in SF-36 average over 70 in all domains. Despite the negative effects caused by the changes in the world of work, such as structural unemployment, one can conclude that the labor insertion efforts resulting from that problem which affects both professional and household environments generate gains as far as gender relationships, health and quality of life are concerned