In this study, we investigated the experiences of school teachers returning from a maternity leave, examining the division of tasks with her partner as well as her satisfaction with her own and her partner's family involvement and with her wider social-support network. We interviewed 40 public-school teachers, mothers of children under two years of age, in the state of São Paulo. The majority of the participants related spending double the time spent by their partners on domestic chores and childcare, assuming more high-frequency tasks, performed at fixed times. In general, the respondents were satisfied with their own family involvement, although 65% wanted to spend more time with their children. They evaluated their partner's family involvement as being good, but systematically lower than their own. Many used other sources of support, which were evaluated positively. Nonetheless, the respondents were overloaded, pointing to the need to reorganize the division of family work.
family work; teachers; maternity leave