Challenges Experienced By One Academic Mother Transitioning From Maternity Leave Back to Academia

While many scholars have written about the experience of academic motherhood in higher education, with their research revealing a number of challenges faced by academic mothers, none have presented an in-depth view of the transition of returning to work after maternity leave. For this reason, the au...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal about women in higher education 2015-01, Vol.8 (1), p.66-81
Main Authors: Craft, Christy Moran, Maseberg-Tomlinson, Jo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autobiographies
Child Care
College Faculty
Family Work Relationship
Help Seeking
Higher Education
Inquiry
Journal Writing
Mothers
Psychological Patterns
United States (Midwest)
Women Faculty
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Summary:While many scholars have written about the experience of academic motherhood in higher education, with their research revealing a number of challenges faced by academic mothers, none have presented an in-depth view of the transition of returning to work after maternity leave. For this reason, the authors used a narrative inquiry approach to analyze and interpret the first author's thoughts, feelings, and experiences as she transitioned from maternity leave to full-time academic work as a tenured, associate professor of education at a research university. During that transition, she faced challenges related to the prioritization and fulfillment of her academic work as well as those associated with childcare and household responsibilities. The authors provide suggestions for new, or soon-to-be-new, academic mothers and recommendations for higher education personnel to support new academic mothers who are transitioning to the full-time workforce.
ISSN:1940-7882
1940-7890
DOI:10.1080/19407882.2014.987086