Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Award Date
2013
Degree Name
Master of Education (MEd)
Department / School
Counseling and Human Development
First Advisor
Ruth Haper
Abstract
In this qualitative study, the experiences of graduate students who were also the mothers of preschool children were explored through the use of narrative interviews and autoethnographic reflections on personal experience. The study examines the various self-perceived identity dimensions of three graduate student mothers (through a series of interviews) and the researcher (via autoethnographic writings). Analysis of the data identified two superordinate themes: a) the identification of systems of support and role models (including presence and absence of said supports) and b) a negotiation of gendered social expectations as the students navigated the context of graduate school. Recommendations include the need for more university-sponsored systems of support for graduate student mothers, as well as a need for further studies of this type that include women of more diverse characteristics and circumstances.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Mothers.
Women graduate students.
Preschool children.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 72-75).
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
81
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Rights
In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Recommended Citation
Harrington, Audrey M., "Lived Experiences of Graduate Students who are the Mothers of Young Children" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1423.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/1423