Young university women and their transition to motherhood: training, challenges, and parenting

Abstract

This article uses a qualitative exploratory study to explain the challenges faced by young mothers at the National Pedagogical University, Unit 153, Ecatepec. It highlights the diversity of motherhood experiences conditioned by their context of origin and characterized by the ways in which they mother based on their status as university students. This implies different personal challenges that overlap with their studies, raising their children, and working. Throughout their university careers, resilience is present, as are their efforts to complete their studies and care for their children. The theoretical basis of the text was the work of Pierre Bourdieu and Jean Claude Passeron. And, on the other hand, from microsociology, Erving Goffman’s theory of stigma, considering that the condition of being young, a mother, and a university student is often affected by socially constructed stigma and within the institution aimed at discrediting the identity of student mothers, relating it to irresponsibility and abandonment of their studies. In reality, various studies, including this one, show that being a mother (university student) encourages and motivates them to continue and complete their studies, both for personal growth and to set an example for their children. However, the study also highlights the disadvantages of being a mother and studying for a university degree at the same time, considering the cases of those who suspended their studies temporarily or indefinitely. The methodology used for the research was qualitative, combining biographical narrative interviews and a Google Forms questionnaire to obtain, organize, reinforce, and interpret information on the subject.