Parent in Science: The Impact of Parenthood on the Scientific Career in Brazil

Abstract

Gender affects all facets of life and the academic and scientific universe presents no exception. For women, motherhood represents a special and tense period in order to reconcile professional life with family responsibilities. Few studies based on quantitative data evaluate the impact of motherhood on the scientific life of women in Brazil and there is no comparative data between the career of female researchers and the career of male researchers. In this view, we present here preliminary results on the real impact of parenthood on the academic and scientific career of Brazilian researchers. These results might be used to support the development of new policies to increase women’s participation in science.