Maternagem-solo-negra na universidade: vivências das discentes e egressas da Escola de Administração da UFBA

Abstract

This study investigated the experiences of Black female graduates and single mothers from the School of Administration at UFBA (Federal University of Bahia), seeking to understand how they reconcile single motherhood with the demands of university life. The research, qualitative and descriptive in nature, used a field study with a purposive sample of single mothers who are heads of household. The study analyzed how gender, race, and single motherhood intersect with these women's academic journey, the coping strategies employed, and the gaps in institutional support policies. The results reveal experiences marked by physical and emotional overload, aggravated by the absence of a regular support network and the difficulty in accessing institutional services. Most reported a decline in academic performance after motherhood and moderate to high difficulty in balancing studies and childcare. Situations of prejudice and invisibility also appear as part of daily university life. Coping strategies vary from managing demands alone, resorting to family members when possible, and reorganizing study routines. A widespread lack of awareness regarding institutional policies was identified, including the Academic Guidance Center (NOA) and the Academic and Professional Support Center for Students (NAAPE), as well as low access to aid and a predominantly neutral or insufficient perception of institutional support. It is concluded that single motherhood at the university is permeated by structural inequalities that affect academic progress, highlighting the need for more accessible, continuous, and sensitive institutional actions to address this reality.