Guilt, Grit and Graduation Euphoria: Exploring the Emotional Labour of Lactating Student Mothers at Teachers' Colleges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64137/31079385/IJMHSS-V2I2P103Keywords:
Dysphoria, Fortitude and Determination, Academic Pursuits, Student Mothers, Coping StrategiesAbstract
The study examined the guilt, grit, and graduation euphoria of student mothers as they navigate emotional and financial dysphoria. Balancing the dual roles of student and mother is a persistent struggle that defines the daily lives of many lactating student-mothers. A collision between their roles remains unavoidable. Using a qualitative constructivist approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather in-depth narratives about the student mothers' personal, academic, and social lives. Twelve student teachers were purposively selected for the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The study established that there is constant negotiation between academic and parental obligations for student mothers. For many lactating student-mothers, the ability to balance these demands may accurately reflect their resilience but also speaks to an urgent need for institutional recognition and accommodation along this challenging path. Practical solutions for the ways in which all stakeholders can better support student mothers were indicated by this study, with a particular emphasis on developing support systems that directly acknowledge and resolve aspects of the realities facing lactating student-mothers.
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