Solidão materna na síndrome do ninho vazio: uma revisão narrativa em perspectiva de gênero

Abstract

This study sought to understand how children leaving home impacts mothers' emotional distress and how society shows empathy in response to this experience. Conducted through qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive research, the study used a narrative review of publications between 2000 and 2025 in the SciELO, Google Scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate databases. The theoretical analysis, based on authors such as Simone de Beauvoir and Judith Butler, showed that Empty Nest Syndrome goes beyond the psychological dimension, reflecting social and cultural constructs that link female identity to motherhood and caregiving. The results indicate that, although the empty nest is often treated as a natural phase, it represents a symbolic rupture that can trigger feelings of loneliness, loss, and helplessness, especially in contexts where the maternal role is central to women's identity. On the other hand, it was observed that this process can also constitute an opportunity for self-knowledge, freedom, and personal reconstruction. It is concluded that social recognition and empathy in the face of maternal pain are fundamental to reframing this experience, promoting a more humane and inclusive understanding of motherhood and female aging.