“Mothers Are Forces to Be Reckoned With”: Proposing an Asset-Based Model of Student-Mothers' Capital

• In Event: Stories and Voices of the Self as Frameworks for Qualitative Research

Abstract

Student-mothers, who comprise nearly 3 million U.S. undergraduate students, are often viewed as lacking the necessary skills or resources to succeed in higher education. In this paper, we counter this deficit narrative and highlight the unique strengths student-mothers can leverage in their pursuit of higher education. Drawing from interviews with over 80 student-mothers, we present a new model highlighting five forms of capital that student-mothers draw on to succeed: motivational, competency, agentic, relational, and navigational. We conclude by suggesting that institutions have opportunities to use their resources to help student-mothers cultivate even greater forms of some capitals

Authors

• Margaret W. Sallee, University at Buffalo - SUNY

• Alyssa Stefanese Yates, uAspire

• Cara Monaco, University at Buffalo - SUNY

• Alexandra LaTronica-Herb, University at Buffalo - SUNY