Title Mothering by degrees : single mothers and the pursuit of postsecondary education / Jillian M. Duquaine-Watson

Published New Brunswick, New Jersey : Rutgers University Press, [2017]

Click on the following:
EBSCO eBooks

Copies

Description 1 online resource Series The American campus American campus. Contents Prologue: Lessons from my grandmother -- The politics of single motherhood in the United States -- Trying to make ends meet -- Clocks and calendars -- Navigating America's child care crisis -- Mothering alone in a chilly climate Summary "In Mothering by Degrees, Jillian Duquaine-Watson shows how single mothers pursuing college degrees must navigate a difficult course as they attempt to reconcile their identities as single moms, college students, and in many cases, employees. They also negotiate a balance between what they think a good mother should be, and what society is telling them, and how that affects their choices to go to college, and whether to stay in college or not. The first book length study to focus on the lives and experiences of single mothers who are college students, Mothering by Degrees points out how these women are influenced by dominant American ideologies of motherhood, and the institutional parameters of the schools they attend, and argues for increased attention to the specific ways in which the choices, challenges, and opportunities available to mothers are shaped within their specific environments, as well as the ways in which mothers help shape those environments"-- Provided by publisher "In Mothering by Degrees, I show how single mothers who pursue college degrees in early 21st century America must navigate a difficult course as they attempt to reconcile their identities as single mothers, college students, and, in many cases, employees. As they combine these multiple and often competing roles and responsibilities, they must also negotiate a balance between cultural ideals of motherhood and their own definitions of what it means to be a "good" mother, particularly as those ideals and definitions are shaped within context of post-welfare reform America and the post-secondary institutions they attend. By comparing the experiences of nearly 100 single mother college students attending three postsecondary education institutions in the United States, I illustrate how these women navigate the various obstacles they encounter, especially obstacles related to financial concerns, child care, time constraints, and the "chilly" climate of higher education. In addition, I demonstrate that the women regard postsecondary education not only as a means of escaping poverty but also as an extension of their mothering work, something they do to help ensure the long-term health and well-being of their children. Thus, this project provides a situated, comparative account of the experiences of single mothers who are college students in order to foster a better understanding of the complex ideologies and social structures that influence the life choices and education experiences of members of this important but understudied student population. Finally, the project discusses policies and programs that can help provide better support to single mother and may diminish the challenges they face as they endeavor to complete their education"-- Provided by publisher Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index Notes Online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on June 7, 2018) Subject Single mothers -- Education (Higher) -- United States Poor women -- Education (Higher) -- United States Education, Higher -- Economic aspects -- United States College student parents -- United States Mother and child -- United States EDUCATION -- Higher. FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS -- Parenting -- Motherhood. SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Women's Studies. EDUCATION -- Students & Student Life. FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS -- Parenting -- Single Parent. SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Sociology -- Marriage & Family. College student parents Education, Higher -- Economic aspects Mother and child Poor women -- Education (Higher) Single mothers -- Education (Higher) United States Form Electronic book LC no. 2016038031 ISBN 9780813588452 0813588456 9780813588445 0813588448

  Permalink