Monoparentalidade masculina diante da viuvez

Abstract

The death of the spouse generates immediate and long-term changes, being significant for the reorganization of the family system and for the experience of parenting, however, there are still few studies related to male single parenting in the face of widowhood. Thus, the present study sought to understand the perception of men about the paternal role in the process of family adaptation to grief. Four widowed parents aged between 33 and 54 years old and with children up to 12 years old were interviewed. The research used the Collective Case Study design, with a qualitative approach, and the data were analyzed through thematic content analysis. The results were presented in the format of a scientific article: " Paternal tasks before family grieving for mother’s death". Despite the suffering associated with the death of the wife, the parents' efforts to continue the family routine, meaning the loss as a driver to prioritize the children's quality of life. Performing parenthood, assuming the responsibility of raising children represented the greatest investment of parents, resulting in an important reorganization of the family system. The relevance of expanding knowledge about male single parenting in the face of widowhood in families with young children is highlighted, understanding that the challenges arising from this reality are many, not only in relation to the creation and maintenance of the children's mental health and the experience of mourning healthy family, but also to the rescue of that father as a man, with his needs and expectations for the future remade.