Multiple Social and Academic Roles of Postgraduate Student-Mothers in a Western Nigerian University

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 projected an inclusive and equitable quality education to all citizens, achieving the right to education for all irrespective of their gender. [1]Women in general and student-mothers in particular are builders of a nation as their male counterparts. In ensuring that student-mothers receive an inclusive and equitable quality education, they combine multiple roles with their academics. This study examines the relationship between post-graduate student-mothers' multiple roles and academic success in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The study was guided by two research questions and three hypotheses tested at a .05 level of significance. The study adopted a survey design type. Data was collected from a sample of 55 postgraduate student-mothers undergoing their Post Graduate Diplomas at Lagos State University through a self-developed questionnaire. Findings showed that there was no significant relationship between the number of children and role conflict of student mothers c² (3, N = 55) = 2.875, р =.411. Also, there was no significant difference in the role conflict of student-mothers based on marital status, c² (1, N = 55) = 2.426, р =.119. However, there was a significant difference between the support student-mothers receive and their academic achievement, t = -2.416, df = 53, p = .019. Student-mothers who received support had a better academic performance than their counterparts who did not receive support. It is recommended that among others the government and school management should provide child care and create campus support units