Survival Narratives from Single Mothers in an Enabling Program: 'Just Hope You Don't Get Sick and Live off Caffeine'

Autor/inn/en	Braund, Anne; James, Trixie; Johnston, Katrina; Mullaney, Louise
Titel	Survival Narratives from Single Mothers in an Enabling Program: 'Just Hope You Don't Get Sick and Live off Caffeine'
Quelle	In: Australian Journal of Adult Learning, 62 (2022) 2, S.202-235 (34 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Braund, Anne) ORCID (James, Trixie) ORCID (Johnston, Katrina) ORCID (Mullaney, Louise)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1443-1394
Schlagwörter	One Parent Family; Mothers; Nontraditional Students; Adult Learning; College Students; Transitional Programs; Academic Support Services; Barriers; Personal Narratives; Outcomes of Education; Foreign Countries; Academic Achievement; Academic Persistence; Australia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Single parent family; Ein-Eltern-Familie; Mother; Mutter; Adulte education; Adult training; Erwachsenenbildung; Collegestudent; Erlebniserzählung; Lernleistung; Schulerfolg; Ausland; Schulleistung; Australien
Abstract	A growing number of single mothers are seeking entry to higher education via enabling programs; however, these students face unique struggles to make their dream a reality. There is some research on the challenges faced by student-mothers in higher education; however, research specifically on single mothers in enabling education is limited. This research focused on identifying the competing discourses that single mothers faced during an enabling program, and the ways they can be supported. Interviews were conducted with seven women who self-identified as single mothers, describing their personal struggles, alongside their experiences of great accomplishment. What became evident, was despite the difficulties of raising children as a sole parent, the student-mothers gained noticeable confidence in themselves during and after completing their enabling studies. Analysis of the data identified unique challenges faced by this non-traditional group of students and highlighted specific supports that this student group require. This paper details a range of obstacles that impeded their study; related directly to their status as single parents. These hurdles included financial difficulties, lack of support, negative familial relationships, personal health concerns, and study related challenges. In addition, these seven student-mothers identified the key factors that supported their success: forging strong connections with other students, improved self-efficacy, the observed positive 'knock-on' effect to their children, and quality academic support and pastoral care from university staff. Thus, with perseverance and appropriate support, these student-mothers were able to achieve success in an enabling program. This study voices the personal 'survival narratives' of seven student-mothers; revealing challenges and strategies unique to their circumstances, that in-turn, generated a successful student experience. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Adult Learning Australia. Office 1, Henderson House, 45 Moreland Street, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia. Tel: +61-3-9689-8623; e-mail: info@ala.asn.au; Web site: http://www.ala.asn.au
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01