Expectativas sobre a conjugalidade e o parceiro amoroso de mulheres de diferentes faixas etárias, na perspectiva do relacionamento interpessoal

Abstract

Love relationships have undergone several changes in recent decades, which can influence expectations about conjugality and the love partner, and interfere in the couple's dynamics. Married life is a complex phenomenon, which is in a continuous dialectical relationship with the cultural context, the physical environment, institutions, groups and the individuality of the spouses. Therefore, this doctoral thesis aimed to describe current and future expectations regarding conjugality and the husband, the narratives of situations referring to such aspirations of middle-class married women of three age groups, with children; and to identify the differences and the similarities between the answers and the narratives of the groups of participants from the perspective of the interpersonal relationship by Robert Hinde. A qualitative and descriptive multiple case study was carried out. Thirty-five women were interviewed, 11 from 20 to 30 years old (group A), 12 from 35 to 54 years old (group B) and 12 from 60 to 78 years old (group C), who were in their first marital union, for at least one year, living in the Greater Vitória Area, ES. During data collection, an episodic interview script was used. Theme analysis of the data was used, which allowed the observation of response patterns on the topic investigated. In general, there were more differences than similarities between the answers and the narratives of the women in the three groups. Considering the differences and the most recurrent aspects, as remarkable characteristics of conjugality, the interviewees mentioned companionship, the birth of children, feelings (groups A, B and C), material and academic achievements (groups A and B), patience, dialogue and maturity (groups B and C). Regarding current expectations for marital life, the participants mentioned the desire to live and grow old together, companionship, dialogue (groups A, B and C), work, honesty, child care (groups A and B), mutual support, happiness/fun and the health of the couple (groups B and C). As far as future aspirations for the dyad are concerned, women mentioned work, the desire to live and grow old together, feelings (groups A, B and C), mutual understanding, the aspiration to have more children and see them grow (groups A and B), the health of the couple, the well-being of the children and companionship (groups B and C). In the case of the husband, as the most evident aspects, the respondents mentioned work, honesty, concern for the nuclear family (groups A, B and C), valuing the family, affection, education (groups A and B ), affection for children, absence of addictions and a taste for social life (groups B and C). As current expectations from their husbands, women expressed the desire to stay and grow old together, companionship, leisure (groups A, B and C), work, affection and conservation of moments together (groups A and B), religion, distancing from family members and mutual understanding (groups B and C). Regarding future intentions for the spouse, the respondents expressed the desire to stay and grow old together, work, patience (groups A, B and C), friendliness, determination, honesty (groups A and B), health of the couple and the husband, empathy and mutual help (groups B and C). This work contributed so that the participants could reflect on the past, present and future of their conjugality. Furthermore, it cooperates with studies in the field of interpersonal relationships, with professionals who work on this topic, and with lay people, due to the relevance of interpersonal relationships to the lives of individuals, groups and society. Finally, Hinde's perspective allows us to consider the marital relationship more broadly, taking into account not only the internal aspects of the dyad, but also its dialectical relationships with other relationships, groups, sociocultural structures and the physical environment.