Challenges facing Emirati College student mothers post childbirth
Abstract
The vast majority of women in higher education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are first
generation college students and about over half of them are student mothers. The education
of women has been the top priority of the UAE government. The intent of the study was to
examine the needs and challenges of student mothers at a teacher education campus in Abu
Dhabi. The research study, using a mixed methods approach, surveyed about 71 students and
interviewed about 13 students, a representative sample of student mothers, about experiences
after their return to college post childbirth. The findings of the study revealed the physical and
academic challenges faced by the mothers and their ways of coping in order to pursue their
education within the constraints of the college policies. Recommendations and implications
for teacher education colleges are discussed.