Role strain: a look into balancing motherhood and education

This research study examines the challenges 15 women reported in their role as mothers and students. The purpose of the study was to explore the barriers many women encounter regarding role conflict from two or more competing social roles, one of which included being a mother of young child. Using a qualitative approach, this study gathered data from fifteen participants through open-ended interviewing questioning, using a structured interviewing tool. The subjects in this study were female college students attending a graduate program at an accredited university. All participants were mothers of a child who was six years old or younger. The risks and economic and social costs involved in successfully balancing motherhood and graduate level work became evident in the themes that emerged from the narratives provided by the participants. Themes emerged concerning; 1) the motivational factors women feel to pursue higher education, 2) internalized and externalized blame, 3) relationship status, 4) employment and 5) the challenge of having young children. The findings present the conflict between various commitments these women often balance, such as childcare, domestic and academic responsibilities. Suggestions for policy changes are discussed as well as the need to widen accessibility and participation in graduate studies for working-class women who have young children.