Esta pesquisa tem como tema central a questão de gênero e trabalho feminino. Traçando como objetivo geral analisar as percepções do trabalho na ótica das cuidadoras sociais de casas lares em Curitiba e Região Metropolitana. Delimitamos como objetivos específicos: identificar o papel das cuidadoras sociais da casa lar, a partir dos significados por elas atribuídos; identificar as fragilidades e gratificações na relação de trabalho das cuidadoras sociais no contexto da perspectiva de gênero; analisar as relações de trabalho as quais são submetidas às cuidadoras sociais, bem como a legislação profissional. Realizamos uma pesquisa com referencial metodológico qualitativo. Como técnica para a coleta de dados, utilizamos a entrevista semiestruturada com 15 cuidadoras sociais das instituições selecionadas. Foi utilizada a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Em relação às análises e interpretações dos dados coletados se verificou que a maioria das entrevistadas se considera de alguma forma mãe das crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados, o que indica, a princípio, que não compreendem a profissão de cuidadoras sociais como um trabalho. Percebe-se ainda, que este fato dificulta a percepção acerca da desvalorização social e financeira da profissão. A pesquisa apontou a importância de se constituir nos espaços das casas lares a implementação de formações continuadas, já que na maioria das entrevistas se identificou que no processo do trabalho as cuidadoras sociais se identificam como mães das crianças e adolescentes acolhidos e não se reconhecem como profissionais do cuidado. Dessa forma, uma das percepções observadas na pesquisa foi a necessidade que haja, por parte dos setores públicos, a responsabilidade de averiguar como as instituições contratantes dessas profissionais estão capacitando essas mulheres, como uma maneira de provocar nesses espaços a materialização de ações que minimizem a desvalorização desta profissão. / This research has as central theme the issue of gender and women's work. The objective of this study is to analyze the perceptions of work from the point of view of the social caregivers of homes of children in disadvantaged or at risks in Curitiba and Metropolitan Region. We define as specific objectives: to identify the role of the social caregivers of the home, based on the meanings assigned by them; Identify the weaknesses and gratifications in the work relationship of social caregivers in the context of the gender perspective; Analyze the labor relations that are submitted the social caregivers, as well as professional legislation. We conducted a qualitative methodological research. As a technique for data collection, we used the semistructured interview with 15 social caregivers of the selected institutions. The technique of content analysis was used. Regarding the analyzes and interpretations of the collected data, it was verified that the majority of the interviewees consider themselves to be somehow the mother of the institutionalized children and adolescents, which indicates, in principle, that they do not understand the profession of social caregivers as a job. It is also perceived that this fact makes it difficult to perceive the social and financial devaluation of the profession. The research pointed out the importance of the establishment of continuous training in the homes of children in disadvantaged or at risks, since in most of the interviews it was identified that in the work process, the social caregivers identify themselves as mothers of the children and adolescents who are accepted and do not recognize themselves as professionals Of care. Thus, one of the perceptions observed in the research was the need for the public sectors to determine how the contracting institutions of these professionals are empowering these women, as a way to provoke in these spaces the materialization of actions that minimize the devaluation of this profession.

Esta pesquisa tem como tema central a questão de gênero e trabalho feminino. Traçando como objetivo geral analisar as percepções do trabalho na ótica das cuidadoras sociais de casas lares em Curitiba e Região Metropolitana. Delimitamos como objetivos específicos: identificar o papel das cuidadoras sociais da casa lar, a partir dos significados por elas atribuídos; identificar as fragilidades e gratificações na relação de trabalho das cuidadoras sociais no contexto da perspectiva de gênero; analisar as relações de trabalho as quais são submetidas às cuidadoras sociais, bem como a legislação profissional. Realizamos uma pesquisa com referencial metodológico qualitativo. Como técnica para a coleta de dados, utilizamos a entrevista semiestruturada com 15 cuidadoras sociais das instituições selecionadas. Foi utilizada a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Em relação às análises e interpretações dos dados coletados se verificou que a maioria das entrevistadas se considera de alguma forma mãe das crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados, o que indica, a princípio, que não compreendem a profissão de cuidadoras sociais como um trabalho. Percebe-se ainda, que este fato dificulta a percepção acerca da desvalorização social e financeira da profissão. A pesquisa apontou a importância de se constituir nos espaços das casas lares a implementação de formações continuadas, já que na maioria das entrevistas se identificou que no processo do trabalho as cuidadoras sociais se identificam como mães das crianças e adolescentes acolhidos e não se reconhecem como profissionais do cuidado. Dessa forma, uma das percepções observadas na pesquisa foi a necessidade que haja, por parte dos setores públicos, a responsabilidade de averiguar como as instituições contratantes dessas profissionais estão capacitando essas mulheres, como uma maneira de provocar nesses espaços a materialização de ações que minimizem a desvalorização desta profissão. / This research has as central theme the issue of gender and women's work. The objective of this study is to analyze the perceptions of work from the point of view of the social caregivers of homes of children in disadvantaged or at risks in Curitiba and Metropolitan Region. We define as specific objectives: to identify the role of the social caregivers of the home, based on the meanings assigned by them; Identify the weaknesses and gratifications in the work relationship of social caregivers in the context of the gender perspective; Analyze the labor relations that are submitted the social caregivers, as well as professional legislation. We conducted a qualitative methodological research. As a technique for data collection, we used the semistructured interview with 15 social caregivers of the selected institutions. The technique of content analysis was used. Regarding the analyzes and interpretations of the collected data, it was verified that the majority of the interviewees consider themselves to be somehow the mother of the institutionalized children and adolescents, which indicates, in principle, that they do not understand the profession of social caregivers as a job. It is also perceived that this fact makes it difficult to perceive the social and financial devaluation of the profession. The research pointed out the importance of the establishment of continuous training in the homes of children in disadvantaged or at risks, since in most of the interviews it was identified that in the work process, the social caregivers identify themselves as mothers of the children and adolescents who are accepted and do not recognize themselves as professionals Of care. Thus, one of the perceptions observed in the research was the need for the public sectors to determine how the contracting institutions of these professionals are empowering these women, as a way to provoke in these spaces the materialization of actions that minimize the devaluation of this profession.

South African affirmative action law in the workplace is in its infancy. Yet some concepts in this context have already proven to be unclear or in need of interpretation, or are lacking. This thesis focuses on the beneficiaries of affirmative action in employment law. The Employment Equity Act (EEA) creates `designated groups' ─ black people, women and people with disabilities ─ as the beneficiaries of affirmative action. It lays down two requirements for beneficiaries of affirmative action which are investigated: (a) beneficiaries must be from the designated groups - in this regard, the question that arises is whether, having been categorised as disadvantaged, persons are presumed to be de facto disadvantaged and entitled to benefit from affirmative action, or whether further evidence of actual past disadvantage is required; and (b) beneficiaries must be `suitably qualified'. In addition, citizenship as a third requirement for beneficiaries of affirmative action has been mooted in case law. This is evaluated against modern interpretation theory, the Constitution and discrimination law. Against the background of a comparative investigation of the position in the US and Canada, and under international law, specific findings and recommendations are made in respect of South African affirmative action law. These relate to the interpretation of the concept `disadvantage', to a pragmatic and contextualised approach to the notion `degrees of disadvantage', to the recognition of the concept `multiple disadvantage', to the clarification of the meaning and application of the concept `suitably qualified' in a code of good practice, and to a policy decision by government to ensure that affirmative action measures apply mainly to South African citizens who otherwise qualify to benefit. To this end, certain amendments to the EEA, its regulations and codes of good practice are proposed with the aim of ensuring that affirmative action measures in fact benefit those intended by the EEA. Some projections are made to indicate the way forward for affirmative action in South Africa. / Jurisprudence / LL.D.

South African affirmative action law in the workplace is in its infancy. Yet some concepts in this context have already proven to be unclear or in need of interpretation, or are lacking. This thesis focuses on the beneficiaries of affirmative action in employment law. The Employment Equity Act (EEA) creates `designated groups' ─ black people, women and people with disabilities ─ as the beneficiaries of affirmative action. It lays down two requirements for beneficiaries of affirmative action which are investigated: (a) beneficiaries must be from the designated groups - in this regard, the question that arises is whether, having been categorised as disadvantaged, persons are presumed to be de facto disadvantaged and entitled to benefit from affirmative action, or whether further evidence of actual past disadvantage is required; and (b) beneficiaries must be `suitably qualified'. In addition, citizenship as a third requirement for beneficiaries of affirmative action has been mooted in case law. This is evaluated against modern interpretation theory, the Constitution and discrimination law. Against the background of a comparative investigation of the position in the US and Canada, and under international law, specific findings and recommendations are made in respect of South African affirmative action law. These relate to the interpretation of the concept `disadvantage', to a pragmatic and contextualised approach to the notion `degrees of disadvantage', to the recognition of the concept `multiple disadvantage', to the clarification of the meaning and application of the concept `suitably qualified' in a code of good practice, and to a policy decision by government to ensure that affirmative action measures apply mainly to South African citizens who otherwise qualify to benefit. To this end, certain amendments to the EEA, its regulations and codes of good practice are proposed with the aim of ensuring that affirmative action measures in fact benefit those intended by the EEA. Some projections are made to indicate the way forward for affirmative action in South Africa. / Jurisprudence / LL.D.