Student Mother and Working Mother Time Use

• In Event: 50261 - Family Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 4: Gender, Work & Family

Abstract

Over 15 percent of college students are mothers (IWPR 2018), balancing academic and caregiving responsibilities while facing financial and time constraints. Student mothers experience a “time squeeze,” struggling to allocate time for coursework, employment, and family obligations, often at the expense of self-care and academic engagement. While working mothers face similar challenges, workplace policies such as parental leave and flexible schedules provide some support—accommodations largely absent for student mothers. This study analyzes time use patterns of student mothers compared to working and stay-at-home mothers using data from the American Time Use Survey (2013–2023). Findings indicate that student mothers spend significantly less time working than working mothers but also allocate less time to caregiving and household labor than stay-at-home mothers. Additionally, they report lower engagement in personal care and social activities, highlighting the pressures they face. By examining these patterns, this study offers insights into the challenges unique to student mothers and emphasizes the need for institutional support. Future research will explore potential policy interventions and compare them to existing workplace accommodations to better support student mothers in their academic pursuits while balancing family responsibilities.

Author

• Haylie June, Northwestern University