As vivências de mulheres mães no exercício de papéis de liderança no setor bancário em João Pessoa

Abstract

This study investigates the experiences of mother-women who hold or have held leadership roles in the banking sector in João Pessoa, focusing on the challenges, feelings, and impacts of motherhood on their professional trajectories. The research, qualitative in nature, was based on a literature review and semi-structured interviews with five female banking leaders. The results highlighted the persistence of historical and socio-cultural barriers, materialized in concepts such as the "motherhood penalty," the "glass ceiling," and the "broken rung," which manifest in fear, excessive self-demand, and discriminatory practices, such as post-maternity leave dismissals. On the other hand, motherhood also proved to be a powerful catalyst for the development of leadership skills, such as empathy, resilience, and multitasking management. The successful reconciliation of the roles of mother and leader was shown to be deeply dependent on family support networks and effective organizational policies, such as schedule flexibility and managerial support. It is concluded that, although formal policies exist, the effective inclusion and advancement of mother-women in banking leadership depends on a cultural transformation and institutional practices that value diversity and mitigate gender biases.