“Eu não mantenho a casa financeiramente, mas eu mantenho a energia dela”: as repercussões do Trabalho Reprodutivo não remunerado na subjetividade de mulheres em São Luís – MA

Abstract

Work is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, playing a central role in the constitution of the social being. It can be understood as a meaningful activity that goes beyond the mere execution of tasks, involving not only physical effort but also intelligence, emotions, and creativity. In this research, work is understood in a broader sense, encompassing professional and domestic activity, formal and informal employment, whether remunerated or not. For women, work is not limited to productive activity; it also includes childcare, household maintenance, and other responsibilities. Thus, throughout history, the attribution of caregiving and domestic tasks has fallen predominantly on women. Therefore, the general objective of this research was to analyze the repercussions of unpaid reproductive labor on the subjectivity of women in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. To this end, the meanings of work attributed by women were analyzed, as well as the elements that constitute a source of pleasure and suffering, and finally, the mediation strategies used by women to deal with work were investigated. To achieve these objectives, the theoretical framework of Psychodynamics of Work (PDT) in conjunction with the Theory of Social Reproduction (TRS) was used. This is a qualitative research study that used semi-structured interviews as a data collection instrument and, for data analysis, used Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), based on Fairclough. Thus, 7 (seven) women were interviewed between June and October 2025. It was found that the meaning of work is perceived both as an expression of care and usefulness, and as a form of servitude, marked by sacrifice, guilt, repetition, and exhaustion. In addition, according to the women's discourses, it is observed that work generates more suffering than pleasure. Finally, defensive strategies predominate over collective mobilization strategies. Among these, the strategies of rationalization, passivity, virility, and womanhood stand out. Furthermore, it was found that women's self-care is significantly compromised by the overload resulting from reproductive work.