Racialized and Invisible Lived Experiences of Asian International Doctoral Student Mothers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• In Event: Reframing the Status Quo With Critical Voices From Minoritized Populations

Abstract

Studies show that the COVID-19 pandemic had a disproportionate impact on graduate student mothers due to increased domestic responsibilities. However, existing studies failed to include the perspectives of student mothers of color and international student mothers. Meanwhile, racism against Asians has been exacerbated during the pandemic. Thus, the current paper shares what lived experiences have been like for one of the most ignored student groups in the American higher education system, Asian mothers who are international doctoral students (AMIDS). Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 26 AMIDS, the paper reveals the reality of AMIDS whose daily lives were impacted while positioned as scapegoats and political pawns, all within the context of the pandemic heavily influenced by racism and xenophobia.

Author

• MJ Kim, University of Washington