Abstract Book of the 6th International Conference on Research in Psychology
Year: 2025
[PDF]
The Superwoman in Collectivist Culture: The Social Perception of the Balance Between Motherhood and Career
Dr. Florentina-Larisa Neagu, Ramona-Elena Dună (Bratu)
ABSTRACT:
The meanings associated with motherhood and its implications have oscillated over the decades from being valorized to being denigrated, from a spiritual given to a biological one—resonating not only at the individual level, particularly for women, but also at the societal level. Collectivist culture also places greater emphasis on the importance of motherhood, compared to individualistic culture.
The results presented are part of a larger study, carried out with the aim of assessing women’s perception of the messages that the macrosystem and mesosystem convey regarding the importance of motherhood and infertility. The presentation summarizes the responses to the research questions concerning women’s perceptions of the social encouragement related to balancing motherhood and career.
This study has both theoretical and practical implications. The results bring more information and add to the literature a better knowledge of how motherhood is perceived in the Romanian collectivist culture.
In terms of applicability, the conclusions drawn may serve as a starting point for the development of informational programs on reproductive health, family planning, and the balance between personal and professional life, with an emphasis on raising awareness of the risks associated with delaying motherhood (e.g., infertility).
Keywords: motherhood, career, social pressure, collectivism