between classes and caregiving: Meaningful experiences of women who are mothers and university students

Abstract

This phenomenological study explores the meaningful experiences of women who simultaneously assume the roles of mother and university student in Cajamarca, Peru. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants, emerging categories revealed how motherhood, although initially disruptive, is resignified as a catalyst for academic persistence. The findings demonstrate that these women exercise notable personal agency, developing complex strategies to reconcile domestic responsibilities, childcare, and academic demands. However, the absence of institutional support, inclusive policies, and formal support networks creates a situation of significant vulnerability. The analysis reveals that the experience of the university mother is holistic, integrating personal experiences, challenges in university life, and transformative projection. These findings underscore the urgency for higher education institutions to develop policies and programs that promote equity, inclusion, and comprehensive well-being of this historically invisible group