Chapter 2

Review Related Literature

Mothers of students find it challenging to manage their time that caused them to

spend less time with their child, which led to their child is closer to their primary

caregiver than they are to them. Furthermore, the society is passing judgment on them.

Student-Mothers overcame it by using coping mechanisms like praying, using her child

as a source of inspiration and motivation, thinking positively and disregarding the bad

things in life (Manalang, et. al, 2015).

Student mothers' experiences and how they adapt to the growing demands of

higher education. Student-mothers balance the complicated dual tasks of being both

students and mothers, dealing with everyday hassles, hard work, constant pressure,

and a distinct sense of difference from full-time learners. To cope, student mothers use

tactics such as effective time management, seeking understanding from teachers, self-

motivation, and financial management (Sayson, et. al, 2024)

Many challenges arise due to the interplay of conflicting roles, both within

themselves and among different roles, as they strive to balance education, childcare,

and other social obligations. The role conflict that student mothers face impacts their

performance both at home and in their academic endeavors. These challenges manifest

in their difficulty attending face-to-face lectures consistently, insufficient exam

preparation, and an inability to fulfill their childcare responsibilities effectively.

Participants face academic challenges including irregular attendance at face-to-face

lectures due to fatigue, child illness, visits to child welfare clinics, and a lack of lactation
facilities for breastfeeding. To manage these difficulties, participants depended on hired

domestic assistance, utilizing daycare services, obtaining loans, and seeking support

from spouses and friends (Dankyi, et. al, 2019)

One aspect to consider is the potential for encountering significant life challenges

while pursuing personal goals. Students reflected on the transformations they

experienced after becoming mothers, which often led to profound shifts affecting various

aspects of their lives, including those of family members such as siblings. Moreover,

they discussed how their perception of university life changed over time. Student

mothers highly value their daily time allocation as it enables them to fulfill both their

roles as mothers and as students. This highlights the crucial role of time management in

balancing these dual responsibilities, encompassing academic pursuits, childcare

responsibilities, self-care, and other roles. It's intriguing that despite the challenges they

face, being a mother seems to have minimal negative impact on student academic

performance, showcasing the perseverance and determination of these individuals. This

also prompts consideration of the potential consequences and sacrifices associated

with concealing their identity as mothers (Kubeka, 2016)

Student mothers manage their responsibilities both at school and as mothers,

although at times, they may allocate less attention to their education as they prioritize

their children. Nonetheless, they also emphasize the importance of education in their

current circumstances. Being a student and mother simultaneously allows for plenty of

time with their child, but there are instances when they must miss school due to their

child's illness. Student mothers manage their responsibilities both at school and as

mothers, but at times, they may give more attention to their children than to their
studies. Nonetheless, they also highlight the significance of education in their present

circumstances (Sitchon, et. al, 2019).

Changing Social Norms to Ease Higher Education

of Student Mothers in Caraga Region, Philippines

Elvie C. Ato (December 2018)

College student-mothers often encounter significant challenges, including

financial difficulties and the demanding task of balancing parenting responsibilities with

their academic pursuits. Managing these dual roles requires effective time management

and resource allocation. Despite these obstacles, many student-mothers are motivated

by the strong belief that graduating from college will pave the way for success and

provide better opportunities for themselves and their children in the future. student-

mothers have a high probability of completing university despite facing challenges. Their

need for socialization is often sacrificed due to time constraints, as they prioritize both

their education and spending time with their child. While student-mothers commonly

experience financial difficulties, these obstacles do not typically prevent them from

completing their education (Ato, 2018).

https://thesis.eur.nl/pub/46687/Ato-Elvie-C._MA_2017_18_SPD.pdf
 Challenges and obstacles experienced by mother students of

Nazarbayev University during their graduate studies

Kamshat Paizova

Mother students encounter challenges in juggling multiple roles, yet these

challenges also present opportunities for success factors impacting their university

journey. For instance, self-confidence plays a crucial role in fostering positive

interpersonal relationships with peers, while its absence can lead to social isolation.

Financial constraints, another significant factor, often hinder mother students from

pursuing and acquiring new knowledge, as they must allocate funds towards family

expenses and university fees. Despite these hurdles, they understand the importance of

obtaining a diploma for securing satisfactory employment opportunities. Furthermore,

family and social support during their studies are vital contributors to their success,

providing them with strength and assistance in managing their responsibilities. Higher

education poses a unique challenge for mother students, especially those returning to

school after a significant gap. Reentering academia after many years can complicate

their lives significantly. For example, mother students pursuing graduate education often

face obstacles related to managing marriage, jobs, and caring for dependents. Factors

such as low self-confidence due to limited preparation time, inadequate social and

family support, and the overwhelming demands of multiple roles can make completing a

degree highly challenging for some mother students. Additionally, mother students are

typically categorized as individuals over the age of 25. When faced with numerous
responsibilities, they become vulnerable and may be more likely to leave school

(Paizova, 2020)

https://nur.nu.edu.kz/bitstream/handle/123456789/4842/Thesis%202020.pdf?

sequence=1

Student-mother’s experiences of higher vocational education, emotion and

time

Paul H. Smith

The student-mothers were mostly found to have experienced positive emotions.

However, they also encountered familial and workplace guilt. These emotions stemmed

from ideas about how time in family and workplace settings should be utilized. Student-

mothers handled this cognitive dissonance by emphasizing the reciprocal relationships

that existed among their studies, family lives, and school work. However, for many of

these learners, familial and workplace guilt remained a strong and ongoing emotion

(Smith, 2018).

https://doi.org/10.1080/0305764X.2018.1483483

Challenges and experiences of single parent student mothers in higher

education
Gina M. Vyskocil

The role of single mothers pursuing degrees while raising children is crucial for

developing non-government-dependent support systems. They also serve as role

models for educational attainment, showcasing the possibility of achieving degrees for
their dependents. While college degrees offer financial stability and various social and

professional advantages for single-parent households, higher education can

significantly impact the quality of parenting provided by single parent students to their

dependent children. It can also negatively affect their personal health, financial security,

economic stability, and interpersonal relationships due to the multitude of roles they

undertake. Student parents expressed internal and external pressure to excel both

academically and as parents. They often struggled to balance various roles and

identities, leading to difficulties in achieving optimal performance in any specific area of

personal or professional growth. Moreover, student mothers felt judged by others

regarding their class performance, academic standing, and professional prospects when

forced to miss classes or arrive late due to parental responsibilities. They shared

instances of being shamed by instructors in front of classmates for bringing their

children to class or criticized for attending events deemed unsuitable for children. These

narratives highlight the resentment felt by student mothers who are pressured to choose

between their roles as parents and students without adequate support to fulfill either

role effectively (Vyskocil, 2018).

Gina M. Vyskocil (2018)

https://lomalinda.elsevierpure.com/en/publications/challenges-needs-and-experiences-
of-single-parent-student-mothers-2

Motherhood and ‘Studenthood’: The lived experiences of college student

mothers in Samar state university
Abigail Macaspang Cabaguing
 Caring for a child is considered a full-time job and can be highly stressful for

female college students if the pregnancy is unplanned. Being a mother is demanding,

and being a student is equally demanding. Education plays a crucial role in a young

woman’s life because the level of education she attains will impact her future prospects.

Therefore, there are both advantages and disadvantages to continuing education while

also parenting a child. Higher education offers increased earning potential and

satisfaction. However, women who pursue higher education while raising children face

constant demands from two fronts: school and family. Juggling conflicting yet equally

urgent demands on a daily basis is the fundamental dilemma that student mothers must

confront. As a mother, she is expected to be there for her child whenever needed,

prioritizing the child's well-being above all else. However, being a college student

doesn't always allow for this ideal role. Students must attend classes as scheduled,

study for exams, and complete assignments on time. The conflicting demands primarily

revolve around time management and focus. They struggle to prioritize between

childcare and academic responsibilities, both of which are essential. Apart from

scheduling challenges, maintaining focus on tasks is also difficult. A student mother

might find herself thinking about her sick child while at school or worrying about

assignments while at home caring for her child. Some student mothers feel guilty due to

the conflicting demands of their roles, which they perceive as challenging to manage.

This leads them to feel inadequate in both areas. They experience guilt over leaving

their child with someone else to spend more time at school. The physical and emotional

absence from their child, the rush to leave the house every morning, putting the child to

bed early to complete school tasks, and the internal conflict of enjoying schoolwork
while feeling guilty about being away from their child contribute to their feelings of

inadequacy as mothers. Simultaneously, they also feel inadequate as students, fearing

that their limited time and focus on studies may result in lower grades (Cabaguing,

2017)

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Abigail-Cabaguing/publication/

336074262_Motherhood_and_'Studenthood'_The_Lived_Experiences_of_College_Stud

ent_Mothers_in_Samar_State_University/links/60ac918845851522bc154278/

Motherhood-and-Studenthood-The-Lived-Experiences-of-College-Student-Mothers-in-

Samar-State-University.pdf

Barriers, strengths and academic performance of student mothers at

Laguna State Polytechnic University, Los Baños campus, Los Baños Laguna

Academic year 2014-2015

Joana Marie P. Bautista1, Dhivvie L. Custodio1, Linlyn R. Lagundino1,

Karen A. Manaig2

Student-mothers who had children at an early age often feel ashamed of their

situation. These students face numerous challenges as they strive to balance their

responsibilities. They frequently take low-wage jobs to meet the everyday needs of their

families while also seeking opportunities to continue their education. They understand

that obtaining an education is crucial for fulfilling the needs and aspirations of their

families. Education empowers them to aspire to better lives, not only for themselves but

also for their families. Being a young mother carries a double standard in society. Many
Filipinos hold conservative views that have been ingrained over generations,

significantly influencing societal attitudes. These views often lead to negative

perceptions, which student-mothers must contend with, impacting their academic

performance. Several factors contribute to these challenges. Academic pressures, such

as tight deadlines for assignments, family obligations, and conflicts between school

schedules and their children's needs, all play a role. Additionally, managing the

workload from their studies and attending to their children’s activities can create

significant stress. Despite these obstacles, student-mothers persist, driven by the hope

that education will ultimately lead to better opportunities for themselves and their

families (Bautista et. al, 2015).

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3105421

STUDENT- MOTHERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION:AN EXPLORATORY

STUDY OF CHALLENGES AND SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR INCLUSION

Chinwe V Ogunji, Chinyere A Nwajiuba, Rowland C Uwakwe

Taking on motherhood along with studies is quite challenging in higher education.

Student-mothers' enrollment in higher education has been increasing around the world.

However, undertaking these two roles, even in ideal conditions, can pull a person in two

directions. Combining motherhood and studying without compromising the activities of

either one is a great dilemma for student-mothers. When a woman must focus all her

attention on her studies, her attitude may contrast with her traditional motherhood role.

This group of students is inspiring and hard-working, trying to make the most out of
every available opportunity. Thus, being a student-mother coupled with the responsibility

of caring for a young child should not be perceived as a hurdle to engaging in education

and training. Being a student-mother entails a parallel role combination of parenting and

academic activities. The intertwining of these two roles is a challenging competition

considering the volume of responsibilities it imposes on such students. Student-mothers

face numerous challenges in their bid to acquire education. Retention is a major

problem; despite the exact ratio of student-mothers dropping out remaining unknown,

the challenges are significant. These include juggling the temporal demands of being

both a student and a parent of a young child, the paucity of on-site childcare facilities,

restrictive 'no child on campus' policies, late availability of timetables, inconvenient

timing of lectures, and acute financial pressures (Ogunji et. al, 2020)

Chinwe V Ogunji, Chinyere A Nwajiuba, Rowland C Uwakwe ( 2020)

http://journals.ezenwaohaetorc.org/index.php/JONAED/article/viewFile/1298/1340

EDUCATION AND MOTHERHOOD: STRUGGLES OF MOTHERS IN PURSUIT OF

COLLEGE EDUCATION
April Corazon G. Abon Aimee Carol R Tangonan Minajoy B. Wigan Ruby
Lyn V. Gutierrez Ronnie D. Guillermo

Having the dual role of student and mother is a difficult task. It involves waking

early to fulfill morning responsibilities at home before heading to school. The financial

burden is another significant concern for student-mothers. They often run out of budget

because they need to provide for both their education and their child's needs. Even

student-mothers who have supportive partners experience trouble in budgeting for their
family and school expenses. These financial challenges can be exacerbated by the

costs associated with childcare, transportation, textbooks, and other educational

materials. Many student-mothers find themselves juggling part-time jobs in addition to

their studies and parental duties, further straining their time and energy. Despite these

difficulties, student-mothers demonstrate remarkable resilience and determination,

striving to balance their multiple roles. The support systems available to student-

mothers, such as scholarships, financial aid, and on-campus childcare facilities, play a

crucial role in helping them manage these challenges. Institutions that recognize and

accommodate the unique needs of student-mothers can make a significant difference in

their academic success and overall well-being. Nevertheless, the journey remains

arduous, requiring immense perseverance and dedication (Corazon et. al, 2023).

April Corazon G. Abon Aimee Carol R Tangonan Minajoy B. Wigan Ruby Lyn V.

Gutierrez Ronnie D. Guillermo (2023)

http://ijssh.ielas.org/index.php/ijssh/article/view/60

Unveiling the Invisible Struggles: Exploring Psychosocial Challenges Faced by

Student Nursing Mothers in Distance Education Programs and Their Impact on
Academic Performance and Social Life in The Upper West Region, Ghana

Rolander Bogi, Seth Badu, Esther Asebiga, David Kojo Rockson

Balancing the pursuit of higher education, motherhood, and other familial and

professional responsibilities poses significant challenges for student nursing mothers

engaged in distance education. Many student nursing mothers find it difficult to fulfill

their academic aspirations due to these hurdles. As a solution, distance learning has

gained popularity among mothers as it allows them to simultaneously juggle their roles

as wives, mothers, and students. However, the accessibility of university education

poses overwhelming difficulties for student parents who must fulfill childcare

responsibilities, work full-time to support their dependents, and sustain their family's

well-being. There is a dearth of studies focusing on the psychosocial difficulties of

student nursing mothers enrolled in distance education. Commuting from home to

school presents additional challenges for student nursing mothers. Those who are

fortunate enough to own motorbikes still face issues, while others without any means of

transport must commute in various forms, leading to lateness, tiredness, fatigue, and

increased costs, among other problems (Bogi et. al, 2023).

Rolander Bogi, Seth Badu, Esther Asebiga, David Kojo Rockson

, https://doi.org/10.33422/jelr.v2i2.463 (2023)

Struggles and Coping Strategies of Student Mothers at the University of

Cape Coast Distance Education, Ghana

Joyce Kwakyewaa Dankyi, Lydia Aframea Dankyi, Vincent Mensah Minadzi

Combining motherhood with academic life involves significant struggles for

student-mothers. These mothers must adopt coping strategies such as sharing roles to
change structural demands, adjusting their own expectations about their roles, and

working very hard to meet all standards. Student-mothers face additional challenges

because universities often lack facilities like lactation rooms and convenient places for

babysitters who accompany them. The home setting can also pose challenges that

prevent student-mothers from leaving their children at home. The stress and trauma

they experience can make them feel psychologically, emotionally, and physically ill-

disposed towards their academic programs. Despite all these challenges, student-

mothers may attempt to redefine their roles as mothers or adjust their expectations of

themselves as students. They may also try to renegotiate the support they receive from

family and friends

Joyce Kwakyewaa Dankyi, Lydia Aframea Dankyi, Vincent Mensah Minadzi (2019)

https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=96516

Untold Stories of Student-Mothers' Academic Journey: A Phenomenology

Rholyn Mae V Torres, Larah Jane T Sangala, Ariel E San Jose, Arlo R Mortos

Married women who decide to continue their academic endeavors still have household

responsibilities. This social obligation, combined with the demands of academic life,

creates a clash of roles. They encounter academic difficulties such as managing time,

taking care of their children when they are sick, completing all schoolwork, and dealing

with homesickness. To cope with these challenges, they rely on prioritizing tasks,

working quickly, multitasking, and wisely dividing their time between school and family.
Student-mothers face significant obstacles to academic achievement. They endure

emotional stresses and receive negative feedback from the learning community, which

often suggests that their first priority should be education. Additionally, discrimination

against student-mothers, labeling them as non-productive, leads to avoidance behaviors

and an unequal distribution of educational resources. From an academic perspective,

bringing a child to school can be seen as indicating a lack of interest and motivation

needed for academic growth. For student-mothers, it is a major dilemma to balance

motherhood and learning without neglecting either role. If a woman has to focus all her

attention on her studies, her actions may contrast with her traditional role as a mother.

Motherhood responsibilities place significant demands on student-mothers. In

universities, combining motherhood with studies is not deemed natural.

Rholyn Mae V Torres, Larah Jane T Sangala, Ariel E San Jose, Arlo R Mortos (2020)

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ariel-San-Jose/publication/347355080_Untold_Stor

ies_of_Student-Mothers'_Academic_Journey_A_Phenomenology/links/

5fda1328299bf14088139331/Untold-Stories-of-Student-Mothers-Academic-Journey-A-

Phenomenology.pdf

Career Development Challenges Faced by Undergraduate Student

Joyce M. A. Lugulu

Mothers in Public Universities in KenyaPursuing a university education as an

undergraduate mother is demanding and challenging. These challenges include time

management, financial constraints, securing and maintaining a maid, commuting for

non-residents, paying rent, providing basic needs for the child, and dealing with stigma.

Married student-mothers often face mistrust from their husbands, who may not

understand the demands of their courses. Extended hours for group discussions, field

studies, or make-up lessons can be particularly sensitive issues for married student-

mothers, leading to misunderstandings. Due to these challenges, some student-mothers

are tempted to cheat on examinations. Such situations might not arise if they were not

mothers facing the daily challenges of raising children. Sometimes, the welfare of a sick

child takes priority over attending lessons or adequately preparing for exams, increasing

the likelihood of missing the required class attendance. Additionally, families may not

provide the necessary support for young mothers due to poverty and rejection.

Boyfriends who refuse to accept fatherhood responsibilities further add to the many

challenges faced by these student-mothers.

Joyce M. A. Lugulu (2015)

http://www.kaeam.or.ke/articles/V6/Paper3.pdf

Motherhood and higher education in Ghana: Experiences of student-

nursing mothers

Patricia Mawusi Amos, Bernard Mensah Amoako, Theresa Antwi and Hannah

Amoah

The role conflict experienced by nursing mothers and married women affects their

academic performance in school and their effectiveness at home. The struggles they go

through include the inability to attend face-to-face lectures regularly and inadequate
preparation for examinations. Some student-mothers struggle to attend classes

because there is no room for them to breast feed. All these challenges impact their

learning and level of achievement, and some student-mothers are unable to complete

their courses. It should be noted that several steps have been taken by the institutions,

such as providing constant guidance and temporary lactation rooms.

Patricia Mawusi Amos, Bernard Mensah Amoako, Theresa Antwi and Hannah Amoah

(2021)

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bernard-Amoako/publication/348952311_Motherho

od_and_higher_education_in_Ghana_Experiences_of_student-nursing_mothers/links/

604af42792851c1bd4e288e2/Motherhood-and-higher-education-in-Ghana-

Experiences-of-student-nursing-mothers.pdf

College Student Mother Needs at Regional Campuses:

An Exploratory Study

Barbara A. Mahaffey, Gregg Hungerford, and Sage Sill

Student-mothers experience significant personal stress and role overload. Their inability

to balance responsibilities with spouses, boyfriends, children, finances, and academic

success creates a "super mom syndrome," leading to guilt, low self-esteem, and

distractions from their studies. Many student-mothers recognize the importance of

education for economic betterment but find it challenging to excel simultaneously as

students, mothers, and partners. This role overload contributes to high levels of

personal stress, which researchers identify as a significant factor leading to college

dropout among student-mothers. Graded group projects and experiential activities

outside the classroom pose additional difficulties for student-mothers with family or work

responsibilities. Single student-mothers often struggle with poverty, affordable childcare

and housing, regulations regarding aid to dependent children, financial aid, and other

expenses while striving to attain a degree.

Barbara A. Mahaffey, Gregg Hungerford, and Sage Sill

https://aurco.org/journals/AURCO_Journal_2015/Mahaffey.pdf

Two Faces of a Mom: Student Mothers’ Lived Experiences in a State

University

Karen P. Andres

. Financial problems are among the challenges confronted by student-mothers. They

also face misunderstandings in their relationships, including those with their husbands

and children. Student-mothers experience adversities and struggles both as mothers

and as students but remain steadfast and resilient in their pursuit of finishing their

collegiate degrees and receiving a university diploma.

Karen P. Andres (2021)

http://www.ijmaberjournal.org/index.php/ijmaber/article/download/115/57
 Challenges Facing Emirati College Student Mothers Post Childbirth

Lilly Tennant & Martina Dickson

Student-mothers find balancing work, study, and family life particularly

challenging. Emirati student-mothers pursuing higher education experience a lot of

stress and anxiety in fulfilling their multiple roles as married women, mothers, and full-

time students. These student-mothers indicated that some college campuses are not

family-friendly and have policies that do not allow them to engage fully in campus life.

Issues such as the timing of academic activities and inflexible scheduling for required

classes delay the timely completion of their degrees. Student-mothers reported that

dealing with their newborns while also managing their other children was very

challenging, affecting the completion of their coursework. They had difficulty coping with

their college work and managing their time, as well as balancing their duties at home

and at college.

Lilly Tennant & Martina Dickson (2019)

https://digital.library.txst.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/6a4f4733-0b69-4e39-b21a-
cbb56b5e151d/content

Influence of Student Motherhood on Academic Performance in Public

Universities in Western Kenya

Mwangi John Munyua, Dina Were, Jane Amunga

Balancing the multiple roles of motherhood and education significantly impacts

the academic success of student mothers. Their dual responsibilities make

undergraduate student mothers unique, influencing their ability to compete academically

with their peers. Challenges such as difficulty balancing studies and parenting, childcare

issues, maternal stress, anxiety, time management problems, and fatigue negatively

affect their learning and overall academic achievements. (Mwangi 2022)

“It Takes a Village”: Student Mothers’ Experiences with Barriers and

Support while Navigating Community College

Jeanine McMillen

Student parents, especially mothers, often feel invisible on college campuses

when institutional policies and practices are not tailored to their specific needs and

challenges. Despite positive and welcoming climates for underrepresented students,

these student mothers remain particularly vulnerable to withdrawing from college. The

barriers they face are often layered and nuanced, with support sometimes paradoxically

acting as a barrier. In summary, student mothers frequently feel unseen and perceive a

lack of support from their institutions. (McMillen 2022)

https://www.proquest.com/openview/c1e99a4e4b01b6662dd4e88e911654b5/1?pq-
origsite6=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

Latina Student Mothers’ Trenzas de Identidades in the Community College

Hortencia Jiménez & Nereida Oliva

Student mothers juggle parenting, family obligations, jobs, and school

commitments, leaving little time or energy for other activities. On college campuses, the

parenting status of student parents is often overlooked as a significant aspect of their

identities and experiences. All student mothers face challenges similar to those of other

non-traditional college students; however, their difficulties are intensified by

motherhood, as they contend with societal cultural ideals, expectations, and definitions

of a mother's role in higher education. Latina community college student mothers are

particularly invisible on college campuses and in educational literature. To improve their

chances for success, we must understand the lived experiences of Latina community

college student mothers, and potentially student parents as a whole. (Hortencia

Jimenez & Nereida Oliva 2017)

https://amaejournal.utsa.edu/index.php/amae/article/view/203

SHARING STORIES OF STUDENT MOTHERS IN COMMUNITY

COLLEGE

Kamisha A. Sullivan

Student mothers are an often overlooked population within higher education.

However, a national study found that the majority of students raising children while

attending college are located in community colleges, and they are predominantly

female. Student mothers enrolled at community colleges across the country form an

often overlooked yet important student subgroup. Their nontraditional status renders

them "invisible" within the broader student population. Typically, student mothers are

categorized under gender, ethnicity, age, and low socioeconomic status (SES) for

services and programs, rather than being recognized as a distinct group. To overcome

challenges in community college, student mothers need resources tailored to their

specific needs. Community colleges must provide resources that acknowledge the dual

responsibilities of being students and parents. While many community colleges offer
child care services on or near campus, it is rarer to find tutoring services or libraries that

accommodate children, or counseling and other appointments with extended hours that

allow students to bring their children with them. (Sullivan 2018)

https://media.proquest.com/media/hms/ORIG/2/ZTZsG?_s=

%2BqfWDR6CA1%2BhE98X6j%2Frh1HULQ8%3D

RESILIENCE AMONG STUDENT PARENTS IN COLLEGE: VOICES OF

LATINA STUDENT MOTHERS

Meenal Rana, Elizabeth Osuna, and Haley Huffaker

Some of the personal attributes that help student parents successfully navigate

their college education include increased self-efficacy after becoming parents, intrinsic

and extrinsic motivations to attend and complete college, and strong organizational

skills. However, student parents may also experience feelings of guilt, along with

physical, mental, and financial strains due to their increased responsibilities. They often

face the pressure of balancing their roles as both parents and students. Furthermore,

student parents may have diverse reasons for pursuing a degree in higher education.

(Rana et. al, 2022)

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15427609.2022.2161797

An exploratory study on student mothers’ perceptions of

motherhood

Unarine Sweetness Maluleke

Student mothers often lack adequate financial resources, suffer from high stress,

encounter family instability, and have limited educational opportunities. Balancing

motherhood and student life is a significant challenge, with effective time

management being crucial. However, it is not always possible for student

mothers to manage their time effectively between these two demanding roles.

Both roles require considerable time, patience, and dedication. One of the most

pressing challenges they face is the need for assistance with daily childcare

responsibilities, especially when academic duties demand their attention. This

often necessitates help from family members or paid childcare, which can lead to

financial strain due to their typically unstable financial situation. Additionally,

student mothers bear the pressures of being the primary caregivers and

providers for their children, alongside responsibilities such as settling tuition fees

for both themselves and their children. (Maluleke 2021)

https://etd.uwc.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11394/8656/

maluleke_m.a_chs_2021.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y