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14 ] September 13-14, 2014 The Weekend Australian
THE XX FACTOR
Crashing through the glass ceiling
Women undertaking a second degree might need the juggling skills of a circus performer, but most say the outcomes are worth the investment.
IN the fast-paced 21st century, fitting everything into each day is a challenge at the best of times. For women – who continue to perform the majority of domestic and unpaid caring roles – it can be even more difficult.
Given this context, it might seem that adding postgraduate study into the lives of busy women – especially mothers – would be a recipe for disaster, yet recent research suggests the complete opposite.
Perth-based researcher, Dr Bailey Bosch found most of the (limited) research into the experience of mothers completing postgraduate qualifications was negative.
“It made me wonder, if it’s so bad, why are more and more women doing it?” Vexed by this question, Bosch investigated it for her recent PhD thesis, finding that completing a postgraduate qualification gives student mothers “a sense of freedom, growth, pride and achievement”.
“Yes, it was a juggle for the women I interviewed, but it certainly wasn’t a struggle. It was more a personal challenge, but totally worthwhile and overwhelmingly positive.”
Bosch, whose research was published by Edith Cowan University in 2013, says a key benefit for mothers was the professional identity they found through being a postgraduate student.
“It asserts their right to an identity outside motherhood and allows women to remain outside the formal employment market while still keeping their hand in professionally. The women considered studying to be as important and as worthwhile as paid employment and approached their studies as they would a job or a profession.”
Having a supportive partner as well as support from family and even from children helps make the postgraduate experience positive and achievable for women balancing multiple roles. Similar numbers of women and men undertake postgraduate study, yet research shows their experiences can be quite different. (continued on page 15)
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