Author(s): Alena Brožová,Miloš Velemínsky, Sr.,Jana Stejskalová / Language(s): Czech
Issue: 2/2017
Introduction: The child birth brings changes in the life of the whole family, particularly of the mother taking the maternity leave to be at home with her child (the possibility of taking the leave is actually only exceptionally used by fathers). The mothers discontinue their labour activities to devote their time to their children and households. This can also be associated with a loss of personal hobbies, restriction to social contacts or possibilities of self-fulfilment.
Aim: The purpose of the present communication is to point out limited possibilities of spending the free time of mothers on the maternity leave, who live in small villages within a certain community, and to propose a solution to this phenomenon.
Methods: Aspects of the life of mothers on the maternity leave, concerning the free time, personal hobbies, activities with children, social contacts, possibility of taking advantage of social facilities in the site of dwelling, personal development, social support, and satisfaction with the life in that period of life, were mapped. The strategy of the qualitative research was employed for the data accumulation and the semi-structured inquiring technique was chosen. The basic sample group included mothers on the maternity leave living in six small villages – in local parts of the community. The research group was obtained by the “snowball” method, in which the investigator choose a respondent, who subsequently recommended some other one. Total of 15 women participated in the research.
Results: Based on the research implemented, it is possible to obtain a general representation of answering questions about the life of mothers on the maternity leave in small villages within a small community, about the way of spending their free time and days with the family, and about their needs, desires, possibilities as well as relationships with surrounding people. The research results suggest that the parenthood considerably affects the life style of mothers, particularly in the field of their free time, personal hobbies, self-fulfilment and personal development.
Conclusion: Based on data from the literature, the improvements of the situation are experienced due to extending activities of centres for mothers and parents. The municipality should either financially support these activities (when the implementer is for example a non-profit organization) or implement them by itself.
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