The Transition to Parenting and Coparenting: Couples that Children were Enrolled in School on the Espiration of Maternity Leave

This study investigates the transition to parenthood and coparenting in couples whose children entered nursery school right after the end of maternity leave. A descriptive and exploratory study was carried out with a qualitative data analysis method, through content analysis. Four double-working couples/parents agedfrom 26 to 40 years-old answered a sociodemographic data questionnaire and a semi-structured interview about coparenting. The results indicate that during the transition to parenthood, the fathers preserve better their personal spaces, while mothers feel overwhelmed, as they assume all demands involving this period. On the other hand, coparenting is performed more equally, since the double-work and consequently, early school insertion of the children impose this dynamic. In contrast, household chores are not shared equally, being these associated with gender roles. The results allowed an approach to the reality of these couples, which pointed out evidence of changes in their performance of coparenting.