The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of the beliefs and practices of maternal care in rural and urban contexts in the city of Itajaí, SC. Seventy-seven mothers were asked to participate in the study by filling in a questionnaire. The following points were observed through the analysis of the results: Urban mothers with high educational level attributed significantly more value to the factor of stimulation, whereas urban mothers with a lower educational level gave more importance to the factor of discipline. The amount of time that mothers spent with their children in the countryside was significantly greater in relation to mothers in the other group. Urban mothers of lower educational level said that their children played significantly more with other children. Therefore, it was concluded that practical beliefs and maternal care practices show different configurations regarding the contexts the mothers dwelling.
Maternal beliefs; parental care; contexts; child development
