Graduation Year

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Degree Granting Department

Anthropology

Major Professor

Nancy Romero-Daza, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Karla Davis-Salazar, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D.

Abstract

This study examined the experiences of mothering students at four different colleges using a positive deviance (PD) framework. PD is an approach that seeks to identify positive behavioral patterns that help members of a community overcome structural barriers (Gross, et al. 2017). The Positive Deviance Framework was applied to investigate how some mothering students are successful in college and how their experiences could potentially help new or struggling mothering students. Eleven mothering students were interviewed to determine what interventions could assist mothering students who lack representation in the traditional college environment, a situation that often leads to feelings of isolation. This study found that mothering students find confidence in their experience as a mother and felt that this confidence keeps them organized and focused despite their immense responsibilities to care for their children, support their families financially, and find the time to complete their schoolwork. This study also found that mothering students are willing to find solutions to help other parents who attend college. They have wisdom that could help mothering students who are new to college, a single parent, or struggling in any way. This suggests that a parent support group for parenting students could address feelings of isolation, thereby creating a community of mothering students with shared experiences and knowledge or skills that could be passed on. This has the potential to increase retention and degree completion of mothering students and other parenting students.

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