This phenomenological study focuses on how mother-learner-workers perceive and describe their experience. By conducting a three-interview series, the author investigates the experiences of six working mothers who were also enrolled in a doctorate program. This research expands the knowledge of mother-learner-workers by considering the interplay of…

Based on interviews with 31 academics and 5 nonacademic partners, this article explores the experiences of academics in commuting couples, or those who live apart for work-related reasons. Using identity theory as a guide, this article explores how participants navigate their competing identities of academic and partner (and, for some, parent) to…

The study examined family indicators of 170 Israeli undergraduate college student-mothers. It found that parental self-efficacy, marital satisfaction, and social support predicted wellbeing. Parental self-efficacy had a significant effect on wellbeing only for respondents who reported a high level of social support. A high level of stress…

In this article we explore the role of academic discipline on the careers of tenure-line faculty women with children. Longitudinal, qualitative findings show that disciplinary contexts and ideal worker norms shape what it means to be an academic and a mother. Even after achieving tenure, ideal worker norms affect these roles; professional…

Women in academia navigate multiple professional and personal roles, and may face unique challenges to integrate their intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual selves. The narrative of constraint underscores the disadvantages, challenges, and inequities that women who are mothers and academics face in their lives. This lack of privilege…

The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of women who have children and work in mid-level student affairs positions. The study of this phenomenon was driven by four problems: (a) women face barriers in rising to upper-level leadership positions, (b) women are more likely than men to leave the field of student affairs, (c) there…